Late left ventricular function after successful Ross-Konno operation

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Congenital Heart Disease

Background:

• The Ross-Konno operation is used for pediatric multiple-level left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.
• Postoperative left ventricular function changes remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the long-term changes in left ventricular function after the Ross-Konno operation in pediatric patients.
• To assess the impact of the operation on left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and overall cardiac mechanics.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 14 pediatric patients (<20 years) underwent the Ross-Konno operation between 1996 and 2006.
• Serial postoperative catheter examinations were performed at early, mid, and late follow-up periods.
• Mean follow-up duration was 10.1 years.

Main Results:

• Successful relief of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (gradient reduced from 62.4 to 3.8 mm Hg).
• Left ventricular ejection fraction initially decreased but normalized by late follow-up.
• Left ventricular end-diastolic volume normalized, but end-diastolic pressure remained elevated, indicating reduced compliance.

Conclusions:

• The Ross-Konno operation effectively relieves left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in pediatric patients.
• Left ventricular contraction and volume recover long-term, but ventricular compliance does not improve.