Outcomes in adults with congenital heart disease and heterotaxy syndrome: A single-center experience

Congenit Heart Dis. 2019 Nov;14(6):885-894. doi: 10.1111/chd.12856. Epub 2019 Oct 16.

Abstract

Background: Heterotaxy syndrome (HS) is a condition in which the thoracoabdominal organs demonstrate an abnormal lateral arrangement and is often associated with congenital heart disease (CHD). Little is known about the adult HS population with CHD.

Objective: To describe the outcomes and sociodemographics of the adult CHD population with HS.

Methods: Records of patients 18 years of age or older with diagnoses of both CHD and HS at Texas Children's Hospital from 1964 to 2018 were reviewed.

Results: Sixty-two patients met inclusion criteria. Median age was 22.7 [IQR 19.6-30.0] years; 26 (42%) were female; and 13 (21%) of patients had a gap in care of >3 years. Median follow-up time in adulthood was 2.9 [IQR 1.3-8.2] years. Forty-three (69%) of patients had single ventricle heart disease, 31 (71%) of whom completed Fontan circulation. A total of 36 interventions occurred in 24 patients which included 16 cardiac catherization interventions, 13 electrophysiology-related procedures, and 18 surgical procedures including 2 orthotopic heart transplants. The median age for death or heart transplant was 45.3 (95%CI 34.3-56.1) years. Heart failure-free survival was 80.8 ± 5.2%, 58.7 ± 11.0%, and 31.1 ± 15.7% at 20, 30, and 40 years old, respectively. Cerebrovascular accident-free survival was 84.3 ± 5.1%, 54.2 ± 11.3%, and 40.6 ± 14.5% at 20, 30, and 40 years old, respectively. Tachyarrhythmia-free survival was 54.0 ± 7.1%, 29.2 ± 8.3%, and 19.5 ± 9.7% at 20, 30, and 40 years old and bradyarrhythmia-free survival was 66.0 ± 6.3%, 41.7 ± 9.4%, and 33.4 ± 10.6% at ages 20, 30, and 40 years, respectively.

Conclusions: At a tertiary referral center, adult patients with CHD and HS have high rates of comorbidities and early death or heart transplant. Longitudinal surveillance and further exploration into factors associated with improved survival in this population are warranted.

Keywords: Fontan circulation; adult congenital heart disease; asplenia; heterotaxy syndrome; isomerism; polysplenia; single ventricle.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Cardiac Catheterization* / adverse effects
  • Cardiac Catheterization* / mortality
  • Cardiac Surgical Procedures* / adverse effects
  • Cardiac Surgical Procedures* / mortality
  • Cause of Death
  • Comorbidity
  • Disease Progression
  • Health Status
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / complications
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / mortality
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / therapy*
  • Heterotaxy Syndrome / complications*
  • Heterotaxy Syndrome / diagnostic imaging
  • Heterotaxy Syndrome / mortality
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Progression-Free Survival
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Survivors*
  • Texas
  • Time Factors
  • Young Adult