Outcomes of single-ventricle physiology in central South Africa

Single-ventricle physiology is a critical cardiac condition requiring early diagnosis and intervention. The objectives of this study were to report on the management and outcomes of patients diagnosed with single-ventricle physiology in central South Africa.

This study was a retrospective, observational analysis of patients presenting with single-ventricle physiology at the Universitas Academic Hospital in central South Africa between November 1997 and June 2021.

Patients were referred from the Free State (54%) and Northern Cape (29%) provinces and Lesotho. One hundred and fifty-four patients presented with single-ventricle physiology: 114 received interventions and 40 were not eligible for intervention. Patients presented for the first time at a median age of 34.5 days, with patients from nearby districts presenting within a few days of birth. However, patients from outlying areas presented much later. Eighty-seven patients received systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunting or pulmonary artery banding. Sixty-three patients proceeded to bidirectional Glenn procedures, and 30 patients (26%) had full palliation to Fontan. Twenty-one patients died after stage 1, six after the Glenn procedure and two after the Fontan procedure. Overall, 34 (29.8%) patients were lost to follow up.

Patients in our study presented late and follow up of these patients was a challenge. The highest mortality rate occurs during the first stage of palliation. Outcomes from this study are comparable to other sub-Saharan studies.