Repair of anomalous pulmonary artery with interposition graft: midterm results

Anomalous pulmonary artery arising from the aorta is a rare congenital anomaly. The midterm results of repair of this malformation by Gore-Tex graft interposition were examined in 5 patients: 3 with anomalous right pulmonary artery and 2 with anomalous left pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta. Echocardiography was adequate in 4 cases for diagnosis, planning the operation, and follow-up. Angiography was needed for diagnosis in one case where the echocardiographic findings were unclear. The mean follow-up period was 4 years. One patient with tracheoesophageal fistula and cardiac malformation died 2 months after the operation due to multi-organ failure. Three patients needed re-operation because of graft narrowing, and one was without problems 5.2 years postoperatively. In anomalous pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta, repair should be performed as early as possible to prevent pulmonary hypertensive changes. When the anomalous pulmonary artery cannot be anastomosed directly to the main pulmonary artery, an interposition graft can be placed safely without cardiopulmonary bypass. With appropriate follow-up, this can be a satisfactory solution, although it carries the risk of re-operation due to graft narrowing.