We reviewed our experience of 56 patients from 1989 to 1992 who underwent a modified Fontan procedure and a bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt simultaneously. There were 39 male and 17 female patients and their weight ranged from 6.54 to 29kg (mean weight 13.58 ± 3.96kg). Patient age ranged from 16 to 135 months (mean age 42.8 ± 3.7 months). Diagnoses included single ventricle in 29, tricuspid atresia in 11, double outlet of right ventricle in 10, hypoplastic left heart syndrome in 4, and pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum in 2 patients. The techniques of inferior vena cava to pulmonary artery (IVC-PA) connection were anastomosis of proximal superior vena cava (SVC) to pulmonary artery (PA) in 27 (group 1), direct atriopulmonary anastomosis with roof formation in 29 patients (group 2). There were significant differences in postoperative 1-hour right atrial (RA) pressure and period of chest tube drainage between group 1 and group 2. The early mortality was 12.5% (7/56), and 2 late deaths (4.1%) occurred with a mean follow-up period of 22.4 months. Risk factors for the late postoperative arrhythmia were immediate postoperative arrhythmia and prolonged pleuro-pericardial effusion. Direct connection of the remaining proximal SVC to PA with the bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt may have less pleuro-pericardial effusion and late arrhythmia than atriopulmonary anastomosis.
Commentary: Additional “customized” aortopulmonary shunt may increase “vis a tergo” to rescue a failing bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt
