The use of 'pericardial hoods' for maintaining exact coronary artery geometry in the arterial switch operation with complex coronary anatomy.

OBJECTIVE

Complex coronary artery anatomy is the major risk factor for the arterial switch operation. Of the many approaches described the 'trap door' technique for coronary reimplantation is most flexible and allows safer transfer in complex arterial configurations. However, we have occasionally been concerned regarding torsion of the vessels with this approach. We therefore explored the role of trap-door augmentation with pericardial hoods to maintain exact coronary geometry during coronary transfer.

METHODS

Between February 1992 and December 1997, 80 patients underwent an arterial switch procedure at our institution. Sixty-seven patients underwent direct coronary reimplantation. In ten, coronary/great vessel anatomy was considered unfavourable and the trap-door approach was adopted primarily. In two an augmented trap-door was performed as the primary procedure and in the last patient Aubert's approach was used. In five patients during rewarming, ischaemic changes were noted on the electrocardiogram and/or regional wall motion abnormalities on transoesophageal echocardiography. This prompted revision of the appropriate coronary anastomosis. In three it was considered the anastomosis was kinked due to angulation of the button; in two the coronary was overstretched. In four, revision of the anastomosis was by pericardial hood augmentation.

RESULTS

In all patients there was normalization of the electrocardiogram and immediate improvement in cardiac function documented by transoesophageal echocardiography. No early or late death occurred in the pericardial hood group nor were there any readmissions for any reason.

CONCLUSIONS

Pericardial augmentation of trap-door aortic anastomoses allows for the maintenance of exact coronary artery geometry during the arterial switch procedure and minimizes the risk of myocardial ischaemia. We believe it broadens the application of the arterial switch procedure to even the most complex coronary anatomy and is a useful adjunct to the other techniques of coronary transfer.