• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.861-866
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• 1998

Background: Pulmonary atresia (PA) with ventricular septal defect has various morphology of pulmonary arteries and pulmonary blood flow sources, so pulmonary arterial hypoplasia and arborization abnormality make this anomaly difficult to manage surgically. In cases associated with juxtaductal stenosis, we evaluated the change of the pulmonary arterial and juxtaductal stenotic site after shunt operations, and would like to find useful information in surgical planning and methodology of these patients. Material and Method: Among 59 cases diagnosed as PA with ventricular septal defect associated with juxtaductal stenosis, 29 cases who had cardiac catheterization before and after shunt operation were selected from July, 1991 to July, 1996. In 10 cases of right shunt operation(Group I) and 19 cases of left shunt operation (Group II), the diameters of the descending aorta, both pulmonary arteries, and the juxtaductal stenosis site were measured before and after the shunt operation. Result: In both Group I and II, the pre- and postoperative ratio of diameters of the ipsilateral pulmonary artery to the descending aorta was from 0.78${\pm}$0.31 units to 1.01${\pm}$0.26 units and from 0.67${\pm}$0.18 units to 0.84${\pm}$0.27 units respectively, showing a signigicant increase. The contralateral pulmonary artery index was increased from 0.92${\pm}$0.28 units to 1.05${\pm}$0.15 units and from 0.94${\pm}$0.27 units to 1.08${\pm}$0.37 units respectively, but could not be confirmed statistically. In both groups, the change of juxtaductal stenosis showed an aggravating tendency but of no statistical significance from 0.43${\pm}$0.27 units to 0.39${\pm}$0.25 units and from 0.32${\pm}$0.10 units to 0.30${\pm}$0.16 units respectively, and we experienced 2 total obstruction in Group II. Because the increased pulmonary blood flow by shunt operation has a favorable effect to the pulmonary arterial growth, the shunt operation is a recommended treatment in patients with hypoplastic pulmonary arteries. But in PA with ventricular septal defects, the change of juxtaductal stenosis is very important. In conclusion, the growth of ipsilateral (shunt site) pulmonary artery was promoted by shunt operation, but there is a tendency for the juxtaductal stenosis to be aggravated. And we experienced 2 total obstruction in Group II. Conclusion: Thus, in cases operated with shunt method, much careful postoperative follow up study including angiographic evaluation is needed, and after the shunt operation on the side of pulmonary artery associated with juxtaductal stenosis, early precise planning for total correction is recommended.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.4 s.261
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• pp.275-280
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• 2006

Background: Aortopulmonary window (APW) is a very rare congenital heart anomaly, often associated with other cardiac anomalies. It causes a significant systemic to pulmonary artery shunt, which requires early surgical correction. Accurate diagnosis and surgical correction will bring good outcomes. The purpose of this study was to describe our 20-year experience of aortopulmonary window. Material and Method: Between March 1985 and January 2005, 16 patients with APW underwent surgical repair. Mean age at operation was $157.8{\pm}245.3$ ($15.0{\sim}994.0$) days and mean weight was $4.8{\pm}2.5$ ($1.7{\sim}10.7$) kg. Patent ductus arteriosus (8), atrial septal defect (7), interruptedaortic arch (5), ventricular septal defect (4), patent foramen ovate (3), tricuspid valve regurgitation (3), mitral valve regurgitation (2), aortic valve regurgitation (1), coarctation of aorta (1), left superior vena cavae (1), and dextrocardia (1) were associated. Repair methods included 1) division of the APW with primary closure or patch closure of aorta and pulmonary artery primary closure or patch closure (11) and 2) intra-arterial patch closure (3). 3) Division of the window and descending aorta to APW anastomosis (2) in the patients with interrupted aortic arch or coarctation. Result: There was one death. The patient had 2.5 cm long severe tracheal stenosis from carina with tracheal bronchus supplying right upper lobe. The patient died at 5th post operative day due to massive tracheal bleeding. Patients with complex aortopulmonary window had longer intensive care unit and hospital stay and showed more morbidities and higher reoperation rates. 5 patients had reoperations due to left pulmonary artery stenosis (4), right pulmonary artery stenosis (2), and main pulmonary artery stenosis (1). The mean follow-up period was $6.8{\pm}5.6$ (57.0 days$\sim$16.7 years)years and all patients belonged to NYHA class 1. Conclusion: With early and prompt correction of APW, excellent surgical outcome can be expected. However, optimal surgical method needs to be established to decrease the rate of stenosis of pulmonary arteries.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.8 s.253
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• pp.538-544
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• 2005

Background: Pulmonary artery banding (PAB) is an initial palliative procedure for a diverse group of patients with congenital cardiac anomalies and unrestricted pulmonary blood flow. We proved the usefulness of PAB through retrospective investigation of the surgical indication and risk analysis retrospectively. Material and Method: One hundred and fifty four consecutive patients (99 males and 55 females) who underwent PAB between January 1986 and December 2003 were included. We analysed the risk factors for early mortality and actuarial survival rate. Mean age was $2.5\pm12.8\;(0.2\sim92.7)$ months and mean weight was $4.5\pm2.7\;(0.9\sim18.0)\;kg$. Preoperative diagnosis included functional single ventricle $(88,\;57.1\%)$, double outlet right ventricle $(22,\;14.2\%)$, transposition of the great arteries $(26,\;16.8\%)$, and atrioventricular septal defect $(11,\;7.1\%)$. Coarctation of the aorta or interrupted aortic arch $(32,\;20.7\%)$, subaortic stenosis $(13,\;8.4\%)$ and total anomalous pulmonary venous connection $(13,\;8.4\%)$ were associated. Result: The overall early mortality was $22.1\%\;(34\;of\;154)$, The recent series from 1996 include patients with lower age $(3.8\pm15.9\;vs.\;1.5\pm12.7,\;p=0.04)$ and lower body weight $(4.8\pm3.1\;vs.\;4.0\pm2.7,\;p=0.02)$. The early mortality was lower in the recent group $(17.5\%;\;16/75)$ than the earlier group $(28.5\%;\;18/45)$. Aortic arch anomaly (p=0.004), subaortic stenosis (p=0.004), operation for subaortic stenosis (p=0.007), and cardiopulmonary bypass (p=0.007) were proven to be risk factors for early death in univariate analysis, while time of surgery (<1996) (p=0.026) was the only significant risk factor in multivariate analysis. The mean time interval from PAB to the second-stage operation was $12.8\pm10.9$ months. Among 96 patients who survived PAB, 40 patients completed Fontan operation, 21 patients underwent bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt, and 35 patients underwent biventricular repair including 25 arterial switch operations. Median follow-up was $40.1\pm48.9$ months. Overall survival rates at 1 year, 5 years and 10 years were $81.2\%\;65.0\%,\;and\;63.5\%$ respectively. Conclusion: Although it improved in recent series, early mortality was still high despite the advances in perioperative management. As for conventional indications, early primary repair may be more beneficial. However, PA banding still has a role in the initial palliative step in selective groups.