Abstract
Background
The optimal timing, surgical technique and the influence of Down syndrome on outcome of surgical repair of Complete Atrio-Ventricular Canal Defect (CAVC) remains uncertain. We reviewed our experience in repair of CAVC to identify the influence of these factors on operative outcome.
Methods
A prospective study included 70 patients who underwent repair of CAVC at Ain Shams university hospitals, academy of cardiothoracic surgery during the period from July 2016 to October 2019. Age at surgery (less than 6 months old versus later), surgical technique used [(modified single patch versus double patch technique), (use of posterior annuloplasty for repair of left AV valve or not)] and association of Down syndrome were evaluated for their impact on the outcome of surgical repair using multivariate analysis. Patients were followed up for 6 months; primary end point was mortality and secondary end point was reappearance of LAVV regurgitation.
Results
No significant difference between patients operated on, at the first 6 months of age versus later, regarding mortality or LAVV regurgitation. Down patients showed significant difference in the occurrence of postoperative compared to non-Down patients (LAVVR grade 2 + = 8.9% vs 24%, P value =0.005) respectively. Surgical repair by Modified single patch technique showed significant reduction in cross clamp time (mean = 47.6 ± 9.227 min vs 73.55 ± 21.087 min, P value 0.00), shorter bypass time (mean = 71.13 ± 13.507 min vs 99.19 ± 27.092 min, P value =0.00) and shorter duration of ICU stay (mean =3.2 ± 1.657 days vs 5.3 ± 2.761 days, P value=0.01) as compared to double patch technique. Posterior annuloplasty used for repair of LAVV compared to closure of cleft only resulted in significant reduction in the occurrence of post-operative valve regurgitation during the early period (LAVVR 2+ 43% vs 7%, P value=0.03) and at 6 months of follow up. (LAVVR 2+ 35.4% vs 0%, P value=0.01) respectively.
Conclusion
early intervention, in the first 6 months in patients with CAVC by surgical repair gives comparable acceptable results to later repair, Down syndrome was not found to be a risk factor for early intervention. Modified single patch and double patch techniques for repair, can be used both with comparable results even in large VSD component (8mm and larger), finally, repair of common AV valve by cleft closure with posterior LAV annulplasty showed better results with significant decrease in postoperative LAV regurgitation and early mortality in comparison to closure of cleft only.