Repair of Anomalous Pulmonary Artery with Interposition Graft: Midterm Results

Anomalous pulmonary artery arising from the aorta is a rare congenital anomaly. The midterm results of repair of this malformation by Gore-Tex graft interposition were examined in 5 patients: 3 with anomalous right pulmonary artery and 2 with anomalous left pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta. Echocardiography was adequate in 4 cases for diagnosis, planning the operation, and follow-up. Angiography was needed for diagnosis in one case where the echocardiographic findings were unclear. The mean follow-up period was 4 years. One patient with tracheoesophageal fistula and cardiac malformation died 2 months after the operation due to multi-organ failure. Three patients needed re-operation because of graft narrowing, and one was without problems 5.2 years postoperatively. In anomalous pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta, repair should be performed as early as possible to prevent pulmonary hypertensive changes. When the anomalous pulmonary artery cannot be anastomosed directly to the main pulmonary artery, an interposition graft can be placed safely without cardiopulmonary bypass. With appropriate follow-up, this can be a satisfactory solution, although it carries the risk of re-operation due to graft narrowing.

Anomalous origin of one pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta

We describe the surgical repair in three infants presenting with one pulmonary artery arising from the ascending aorta, the other artery arising normally from the right ventricle via the pulmonary trunk. Repair consisted of reimplantation of the anomalous pulmonary artery to the pulmonary trunk, in association with repair of associated intracardiac malformations. All patients survived the surgical procedures, and were discharged in stable clinical condition. Subsequently, two of the three patients developed stenosis at the surgical anastomosis relatively early after the initial procedure, and underwent reoperation. Although survival after operation is now expected for this malformation, reports of late results are lacking. Larger numbers of operations are needed before we can reach definitive conclusions.The origin of one branch pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta in the presence of a pulmonary valve and main pulmonary artery is a very rare congenital cardiac anomaly.Patients and methods:Between January 1995 and June 2003, 3 infant girls presented with the origin of one branch artery from the ascending aorta, while the other pulmonary artery originated from the pulmonary trunk which was in continuity with the right ventricular outflow tract. The pulmonary artery that arose from the right ventricle was left in 2 and right in 1 patient.Results:At the age 13, 48 and 62 days respectively, the patients underwent surgical repair consisting with reimplantation of the anomalous pulmonary artery branch to the pulmonary trunk in association with repair of intracardiac malformations. There were no hospital deaths. Postoperative complications included: prologed intubation in two patients (10 and 16 days), low output syndrome in 1 patient, cardiac tamponade in 1 patient and seizures in 1 patient. All patients were discharged in good clinical condition. There have been no late deaths. Subsequently, two of the three patients developed stenosis at the surgical anastomosis relatively early after the initial procedure, and after unsuccessuful balloon dilation, underwent surgical reoperation.Conclusions:Although operative survival is now possible for this malformation, reports of late results are lacking. Two of the three patients developed stenosis at the surgical anastomosis relatively early after surgery. Larger numbers of operations are necessaries to reach definitive conclusions.