Outcomes of Surgical Repair for Truncus Arteriosus: A 30-Year Single-Center Experience

We investigated the long-term outcomes of truncus arteriosus repair at a single institution with a 30-year study period.

Patients who underwent repair of truncus arteriosus between 1993 and 2022 were reviewed retrospectively. Factors associated with early mortality, overall attrition, and reintervention were identified using appropriate statistical methods.

In total, 42 patients were enrolled in this study. The median age and weight at repair were 26 days and 3.5 kg, respectively. Thirty patients (71.4%) underwent 1-stage repair. There were 8 early deaths (19%). In the univariable analysis, undergoing surgery before 2011 was associated with early mortality (p=0.031). The overall survival rate at 10 years was 73.8%. In the multivariable analysis, significant truncal valve (TrV) dysfunction (p=0.010), longer cardiopulmonary bypass time (p=0.018), and the earlier era of surgery (p=0.004) were identified as risk factors for overall mortality. During follow-up, 47 reinterventions were required in 27 patients (64.3%). The freedom from all-cause reintervention rate at 10 years was 23.6%. In the multivariable analysis, associated arch obstruction (p<0.001) and significant TrV dysfunction (p=0.011) were identified as risk factors for all-cause reintervention. Arch obstruction (p=0.027) and a number of TrV cusps other than 3 (p=0.014) were identified as risk factors for right ventricle to pulmonary artery (RV-PA) reintervention, and significant TrV dysfunction was identified as a risk factor for TrV reintervention (p=0.002).

Despite recent improvements in survival outcomes after repair of truncus arteriosus, RV-PA or TrV reinterventions were required in a significant number of patients during follow-up.