Bronchus compression is a predictor for reobstruction in coarctation with hypoplastic arch repair

The surgical treatment of coarctation of aorta with hypoplastic aortic arch (CoA/HAA) was challenging to achieve long-lasting arch patency. We reviewed early and late outcomes in our centre and identified predictors for arch reobstruction.

A retrospective analysis of medical records was performed to identify CoA/HAA patients who underwent primary arch reconstruction via median sternotomy between 2011 and 2020. Preoperative aortic arch geometry was analysed with cardiac computed tomographic angiography. Bedside flexible fibre-optic bronchoscopy was routinely performed after surgery in intensive care unit.

There were 104 consecutive patients (median age 39.5 days) who underwent extended end-to-end anastomosis, extended end-to-side anastomosis and autograft patch augmentation. Early mortality was 3.8% and overall survival was 94.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) 89.6-98.8%] at 1, 3 and 5 years. Reobstruction-free survival was 85.1% (95% CI 78.4-92.3%) at 1 year, 80.6% (95% CI 73.1-88.9%) at 3 years and 77.4% (95% CI 69.2-86.6%) at 5 years. Preoperative aortic arch geometric parameters were not important factors for reobstruction. Nineteen patients (18.3%) were detected with left main bronchus compression (LMBC) on flexible fibre-optic bronchoscopy. Cardiopulmonary bypass time [P < 0.001, hazard ratio (95% CI): 1.02 (1.01-1.03)] and postoperative LMBC [P = 0.034, hazard ratio (95% CI): 2.99 (1.09-8.23)] were independent predictive factors on multivariable Cox regression analysis of reobstruction-free survival.

Aortic arch can be satisfactorily repaired by extended end-to-end anastomosis, extended end-to-side anastomosis and autograft patch augmentation via median sternotomy in CoA/HAA. Cardiopulmonary bypass time and postoperative LMBC detected by flexible fibre-optic bronchoscopy are significant predictors for long-term arch reobstruction.