Clinical outcomes of adult survivors of pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum

Int J Cardiol. 2012 Nov 1;161(1):13-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2011.04.026. Epub 2011 May 18.

Abstract

Background: There are no studies on the long term clinical outcomes and complications in the adult patient with pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS). This study reviews our experience with a limited group of adult survivors of PA/IVS seen in our adult congenital clinics.

Methods: Twenty adult patients with PA/IVS (1998 to 2009) were identified from Mayo Clinic adult congenital heart disease databases. Surgical history and clinical outcomes were reviewed.

Results: Mean age at last evaluation was 29 years (19-39 years). There were five deaths within the study period (1998-2009). Median age at death was 32 years (30-37 years). Seven patients underwent the Fontan operation, eight patients had a biventricular repair, and five patients remained with palliative shunts. All patients required re-interventions in adulthood. Tricuspid valve (TV) (n=5), pulmonary valve (PV)/conduit (n=6), and mitral valve (n=2) replacements were the most frequent re-intervention in the biventricular repair subset. Atrial arrhythmias were present in 80% of the total cohort, the highest rate among Fontan repairs (n=7) and biventricular repairs (n=7). Ventricular arrhythmias occurred in 15% of the cohort.

Conclusions: Although limited in number, the adult PA/IVS patients in this series continue to have high rates of morbidity and mortality, with arrhythmias and need for re-operations as the major causes. Patients with biventricular repairs had the highest re-intervention rate in adulthood. While this subset of patients might not be representative of all adult PA/IVS survivors, continued follow-up at centers with expertise in adult congenital cardiology is recommended for all patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / diagnosis
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / mortality*
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Atresia / diagnosis
  • Pulmonary Atresia / mortality*
  • Pulmonary Atresia / surgery*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survivors*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Supplementary concepts

  • Pulmonary Atresia with Intact Ventricular Septum