Primary arterial switch operation as a strategy for total correction of Taussig-Bing anomaly: a 21-year experience

Studies of the arterial switch operation for Taussig-Bing anomaly demonstrate significant rates of reintervention and mortality, particularly after initial palliation to delay complete repair. We aimed to describe the long-term outcomes of our 21-year practice of single-stage arterial switch operation for all patients with Taussig-Bing anomaly.

A retrospective study was performed, and 43 patients with Taussig-Bing anomaly were identified between 1990 and 2011. Median age at arterial switch operation was 7 (range, 2-192) days, and median operative weight was 3.2 (1.4-6.2) kg. Aortic arch obstruction was present in 30 patients (70%). Hospital mortality was 7% (n=3). Follow-up was available for 37 hospital survivors at a mean of 8.1 (± 6.3) years. Late mortality was 2% (n=1). At follow-up, all patients were in New York Heart Association functional class I. Freedom from transcatheter or surgical reintervention was 73% at 1 year, 64% at 5 years, and 60% at 10 years. Eleven patients underwent 13 catheter reinterventions on the pulmonary arteries (n=8) or aortic arch (n=5). Seven patients underwent 11 reoperations, including relief of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction (n=5), pulmonary arterioplasty (n=3), recoarctation repair (n=2), and tricuspid valve repair (n=1). By multivariate analysis, a preoperative aortic valve annulus z score of ≤-2.5 was associated with reintervention (hazard ratio, 7.66 [95% confidence interval, 1.29-45.6], P=0.03).

Although reintervention is common, primary correction of Taussig-Bing anomaly with arterial switch operation can be achieved in all patients with low mortality and good long-term outcomes.