Common arterial trunk in functionally univentricular hearts: a case series.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Congenital Heart Disease
• Cardiac Surgery

Background:

• The co-occurrence of univentricular heart and common arterial trunk is exceptionally rare.
• Existing literature lacks population-based outcome data for this specific cardiac defect association.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the clinical presentation and surgical outcomes of patients with univentricular hearts and common arterial trunk.
• To provide data that can inform counseling and decision-making for this rare condition.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of hospital records, imaging data, and surgical notes for patients diagnosed with common arterial trunk.
• Analysis of patient outcomes following surgical palliation and intermediate follow-up.

Main Results:

• Six cases of common arterial trunk with univentricular heart defects were identified over 30 years.
• Most patients had associated atrioventricular septal defects; all had antenatal diagnosis.
• Surgical palliation was performed in four patients, with significant mortality and limited success in achieving intermediate-term survival.

Conclusions:

• Univentricular hearts combined with common arterial trunk present with extremely poor short- to medium-term prognoses.
• Findings underscore the need for comprehensive antenatal and postnatal counseling regarding the outcomes of this rare condition.