Early to mid-term results after total cavopulmonary connection performed in the second decade of life

Total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) performed in the second decade of life has rarely been studied. Thus, we investigated (bicentric study) early and late morbidity and mortality following completion of TCPC in these patients.

From January 1999 to June 2014, 63 patients (14.5 ± 2.9 years) underwent TCPC (extracardiac conduit). Palliation before completion was an isolated bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt (BCPS) in 3 patients or BCPS associated with additional pulmonary blood flow (APBF) that was either antegrade (Group 1) in 38 (63%) or retrograde (Group 2) in 22 (37%). Preoperative and perioperative data were reviewed retrospectively.

Mean pulmonary arterial and ventricular end-diastolic pressures were 12.2 and 9.2 mmHg, respectively. Mean Nakata index was 279 ± 123 and 228 ± 87 mm 2 /m 2 in Groups 1 and 2, respectively ( P  =   0.01). Aortic cross-clamping was performed in 22 from Group 1 and 8 from Group 2 ( P  =   0.04). Mean follow-up was 4.57 years [0.8-15]. Nine patients had prolonged stays in the intensive care unit (>6 days). There were 1 early and 2 late deaths (non-cardiac related). Actuarial survival was 96% at 4 years. At last follow-up, single-ventricle function remained normal or improved in all patients (Group 1) compared to 82% in Group 2 ( P  =   0.02). New York Heart Association (NYHA) class had improved in both groups: 47 patients were NYHA class II and 16 class III preoperatively vs 50 class I and 10 class II postoperatively ( P  <   0.001).

Single-ventricle palliation with BCPS and APBF allowed completion of TCPC in the second decade of life, with encouraging mid-term results. However, BCPS with retrograde APBF was associated with single-ventricle dysfunction: thus, this technique needs to be used cautiously as long-lasting palliation.