Improvement in health-related quality of life after complex biventricular repair

Complex biventricular (BiV) and one-and-a-half ventricle (1.5V) repairs are alternatives to single ventricle palliation. We describe 1 domain of the health-related quality of life of patients undergoing BiV and 1.5V repairs.

This single-center study included children (≤ 18 years) who underwent BiV or 1.5V repairs between October 1, 2022, and July 7, 2024. Parents completed Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Infant Scales or Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 3.0 Cardiac Modules; physical function and physical symptom scores for patients younger than 2 years and heart problems and treatment scores for patients 2 years and older were evaluated.

Seventy-three patients, 36 younger than 2 years and 37 ages 2 years and older, were included. Forty-one patients (56%) underwent BiV surgery, and 32 (44%) underwent 1.5V surgery. Preoperatively, patients younger than 2 years had a mean physical symptom score of 76 ± 14 and a mean physical function score of 70 ± 20; patients ages 2 years and older had a mean heart problems and treatment score of 64 ± 20. Thirty-six patients, 10 younger than 2 years and 26 ages 2 years and older, had paired pre- and postoperative health-related quality of life data. Following repair, physical symptom scores improved among infants ages 0 to 12 months (mean, 67 vs 79; P = .033), and heart problems and treatment scores improved (ages 2 to 4 years, 69 vs 84; P = .002; ages 5 to 7 years, 57 vs 86; P = .044). For patients ages 2 years and older, 5 symptoms drove score improvement: exertional dyspnea, chest pain, tachycardia, cyanosis, and fatigue.

Six months after surgery, parents reported improvement in children's health-related quality of life following complex BiV or 1.5V repairs. Further work is needed to better understand long-term outcomes in this vulnerable population.