Experience of the Arterial Switch Operation beyond Infancy

Abstract

The arterial switch operation in the neonatal period is the treatment of choice for complete transposition of the great arteries. Since 1995, we have performed the arterial switch operation with or without closure of a ventricular septal defect in 7 patients who presented beyond infancy. Their ages ranged from 21 to 60 months (mean age 40 months). Four patients had ventricular septal defects and 3 had an intact ventricular septum. Six underwent pulmonary artery banding before the operation and one had a subpulmonic membrane that acted as a pulmonary artery band. All patients survived the operation; two developed mild to moderate aortic regurgitation that decreased over time. Based on our experience and good results we conclude that the arterial switch operation is still the procedure of choice for such patients who present beyond the period of infancy.