Surgical palliation in patients with a single ventricle and dextrocardia

Dextrocardia is found in a significant proportion of patients undergoing a single-ventricle repair. Surgical outcomes in this cohort are unclear.

The records of 41 consecutive patients with single-ventricle physiology and dextrocardia presenting in a single institution from 1990 to 2008 were reviewed. Of this cohort, 19 patients had heterotaxy syndrome. Twenty-five of the 41 patients had atrioventricular valve regurgitation (AVVR) on presentation (mild, 13; moderate, 9; severe, 3).

One patient died before intervention. Initial surgical palliation was performed in 31 patients. Four patients died postoperatively and 4 interim deaths occurred between initial palliation and bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt (BCPS). Thirty of the surviving 32 patients underwent BCPS, with 2 perioperative deaths. There were 4 additional deaths before Fontan surgery. Twenty-two of the surviving 25 patients underwent a Fontan procedure. There was 1 postoperative mortality. Survival to the age of 15 years was 56% (95% confidence interval [CI], 39%-70%). Patients with moderate or severe regurgitation had higher mortality if they were managed conservatively rather than by surgery (5 of 6 vs 2 of 6; P=.24). Patients with bilateral BCPS had better operative outcomes and survival compared with peers with unilateral anastomosis (odds ratio, 27; P=.005; 95% CI, 2.7-269). The side of the systemic venous pathway did not seem to influence outcomes.

Surgical outcomes of single-ventricle palliation seem poor in patients with dextrocardia. Aggressive management of congenital AVVR might improve the long-term prognosis.