Single-stage repair of aortic arch obstruction and associated intracardiac defects in the neonate

The effectiveness of a single-stage anterior approach for the repair of aortic arch obstruction and associated intracardiac defects has not been well evaluated. We therefore reviewed our experience with 60 neonates (median age 8 days, range 1 to 28) who under-went a single-stage repair by way of a median sternotomy at our institution between 1986 and 1994. Nineteen (32%) had coarctation with ventricular septal defect, 18 (30%) had interrupted aortic arch with ventricular septal defect, and 23 (38%) had coarctation or interrupted aortic arch with complex intracardiac anatomy. The arch obstruction was repaired using resection and primary anastomosis in 54 patients, synthetic patch aortoplasty in 3, subclavian flap aortoplasty in 2, and an interposition gortex graft placement in 1. Total circulatory arrest time was 48 ± 3 minutes (mean ± SEM). There were 7 early postoperative deaths (11.7%; 70% confidence limit 8% to 16.6%). The 53 survivors were followed for a mean of 23 months (range 1 to 78), for a total of 1, 219 patient-months. Recurrent arch obstruction ≥20 mm Hg has occurred in 2 of 53 patients (3.8%; 70% confidence limit 1.9% to 7.5%); both underwent successful balloon angioplasty. There were 2 late deaths, 1 of which was noncardiac. We conclude that repair of aortic arch obstruction and intracardiac defects by a single-stage approach through median sternotomy can be accomplished with low mortality in infancy, even with associated complex intracardiac anatomy. Recurrent coarctation is relatively uncommon and can be successfully managed with balloon angioplasty.