Transposition of the great arteries. A correlation of clinical, physiologic and autopsy data

Abnormalities in cerebral hemodynamics and changes with surgical intervention in neonates with congenital heart disease

OBJECTIVE

To use novel optical techniques to measure perioperative cerebral hemodynamics of diverse congenital heart disease (CHD) groups (two-ventricle, d-transposition of the great arteries [TGA], and single ventricle [SV]) and (1) compare CHD groups with healthy controls preoperatively and (2) compare preoperative and postoperative values within each CHD group.

METHODS

Frequency-domain near-infrared spectroscopy and diffuse correlation spectroscopy were used to measure cerebral oxygen saturation, cerebral blood volume, cerebral blood flow index, cerebral oxygen extraction fraction (OEF, calculated using arterial oxygen saturation and cerebral oxygen saturation), and an index of cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption in control and CHD neonates. Preoperative CHD measures were compared with controls. Preoperative and postoperative measures were compared within each CHD group.

RESULTS

In total, 31 CHD neonates (7 two-ventricle, 11 TGA, 13 SV) and 13 controls were included. Only neonates with SV CHD displayed significantly lower preoperative cerebral blood flow index (P < .04) than controls. TGA and SV groups displayed greater OEF (P < .05) during the preoperative period compared with controls. Compared with the preoperative state, postoperative neonates with TGA had a greater arterial oxygen saturation with lower OEF.

CONCLUSIONS

Differences in cerebral hemodynamics and oxygen metabolism were observed in diverse CHD groups compared with controls. Increased OEF appears to be a compensatory mechanism in neonates with TGA and SV. Studies are needed to understand the relationship of these metrics to outcome and their potential to guide interventions to improve outcome.

Progressive pulmonary vascular disease after surgical correction (Mustard procedure) of transposition of great arteries with intact ventricular septum

Severe pulmonary vascular disease developed 1 year after a Mustard operation in a 2 1/3 year old boy with transposition of the great arteries and intact ventricular septum. The possible etiologic factors responsible for the development of pulmonary vascular disease are discussed, and it is suggested that this disturbing late postoperative complication may occur more frequently than is recognized.

The surgical relief of transposition of the great vessels in infancy

The necessity for palliative surgery in transposition of the great vessels is indicated and the basic haemodynamics of the condition are outlined. The clinical picture of infants with transposition is divided into three types, and a method of surgical treatment is suggested for the two most common types. Our technique of investigation and treatment is described and the reasons for our choice of therapy are discussed. The results of cases operated upon are presented.

Transposition of the great arteries: surgical repair of a complicated case in a 36-year-old woman

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Creation of an atrial septal defect in transposition of the great vessels

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