Being Overweight Is Related to Neoaortic Sinus Dilatation After Arterial Switch Operation

Neoaortic sinus dilatation is a late comorbidity after an arterial switch operation in patients with dextro-transposition of the great arteries. We aim to explore whether neoaortic sinus dilatation is related to overweight or obesity, as these affect aortic remodeling in such patients.

We measured neoaortic diameters including those for the annulus, sinus, sinotubular junction, and ascending aorta by echocardiography and studied the relationship between these diameters and body mass index in patients aged 15 years and older after an arterial switch operation.

A total of 45 patients were studied. Median (interquartile range) age, body mass index, and systolic blood pressure at echocardiography were 20 (17-28) years, 21.2 (18.4-24.2) kg/m2, and 120 (112-127) mm Hg, respectively. Echocardiogram revealed the following median values (interquartile ranges): neoaortic annulus diameter, 22.2 (19.8-23.8) mm; sinus diameter, 34.6 (31.8-39.8) mm; sinotubular junction diameter, 27.5 (22.4-30.0) mm; and ascending aortic diameter, 20.4 (19.4-22.7) mm. The neoaortic sinus diameter was significantly correlated with body mass index (r = 0.41, P = .004) and was significantly larger in patients with concomitant ventricular septal defect (P < .001) and those who were over-weight (body mass index ≥25 kg/m2; P = .006).

Neoaortic sinus dilatation after an arterial switch operation is associated with being overweight during adolescence and young adulthood. It is important to prevent obesity in patients after an arterial switch operation and educate them on a healthy lifestyle.