Anatomical Aspects and Long-Term Outcomes of Additional Surgical Repair During Heart Transplantation in Adult Congenital Heart Disease

Abstract

Adult patients with congenital heart disease (ACHD) requiring heart transplantation (HT) usually show complex anatomies, posing surgical challenges. Consequently, we analyzed technical aspects and early and long-term outcomes of additional surgical repairs during HT in ACHD. Forty patients were identified (23 males, median age: 38 years, interquartile range [IQR]: 26-50). Of these, 17 (42.5%) required additional surgical repair (7 systemic veins repair, 13 pulmonary arteries repair). These procedures were more associated with univentricular physiology ( p < 0.001) and prior Fontan palliation ( p < 0.001). Eight (20.0%) experienced 30 day mortality. At a median follow-up of 5.6 (IQR: 2.0-11.9) years, 5 (12.5%) patients died. Additional surgical repair did not affect postoperative 30 day and long-term follow-up mortality ( p = 0.451 and p = 0.330, respectively).

Keywords: adult congenital heart disease; complex congenital heart disease; heart transplantation.