BACKGROUND: Successful transfer of the coronary arteries is the most critical step during arterial switch operations for patients with transposition of the great arteries with a single coronary artery ostium and/or intramural coronary arteries. Various techniques have been reported and the present study was an evaluation of them in 10 neonatal patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: Coronary artery transfers are achieved by implantation of coronary buttons to the previously anastomosed neo-aorta using pericardial or pulmonary artery hood techniques. One patient died perioperatively because of myocardial malperfusion. Following prolonged mechanical ventilation, another died from sepsis on the 28th postoperative day. Coronary artery perfusion abnormality was not observed in the remaining patients. CONCLUSIONS: Transfer of the coronary button by the pericardial or pulmonary artery hood augmentation technique to the previously anastomosed neo-aorta is a practical, easy and convenient combination of methods for the treatment of these patients.
BACKGROUND: Successful transfer of the coronary arteries is the most critical step during arterial switch operations for patients with transposition of the great arteries with a single coronary artery ostium and/or intramural coronary arteries. Various techniques have been reported and the present study was an evaluation of them in 10 neonatal patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: Coronary artery transfers are achieved by implantation of coronary buttons to the previously anastomosed neo-aorta using pericardial or pulmonary artery hood techniques. One patient died perioperatively because of myocardial malperfusion. Following prolonged mechanical ventilation, another died from sepsis on the 28th postoperative day. Coronary artery perfusion abnormality was not observed in the remaining patients. CONCLUSIONS: Transfer of the coronary button by the pericardial or pulmonary artery hood augmentation technique to the previously anastomosed neo-aorta is a practical, easy and convenient combination of methods for the treatment of these patients.