Early and late results of repair of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection to the superior vena cava with a pericardial baffle.

The early and late results of repair of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection to the superior vena cava with a simple pericardial baffle without enlargement of the superior vena cava were examined. Fifteen consecutive patients received operations between 1973 and 1983, and all survived. They have been followed for a mean of 6 years and a minimum of 2 years. Nodal rhythm and atrial dysrhythmias were present in 6 patients (40%) early after operation. However, every patient resumed normal sinus rhythm prior to hospital discharge except 1 adult who remained in the preoperative rhythm of atrial flutter-fibrillation. No patient has clinical evidence of a residual atrial level shunt or superior vena cava obstruction. All have received an excellent clinical result, and none, except the patient in chronic atrial fibrillation, require cardiac medication. These results are comparable or superior to those obtained with more intricate procedures that use either complex atrial flaps or translocation of the superior vena cava to the atrial appendage.