[Arterial switch operation in transposition of great arteries and double-outlet right ventricle. Experience at the Brompton Hospital, London].

Between 1981 and 1989 89 patients underwent anatomic correction of transposition of the great arteries with intact ventricular septum (n = 32), transposition with ventricular septum defect (n = 37) and double outlet right ventricle with subpulmonary ventricular septal defect (n = 20). The perioperative mortality was 17% (n = 15). The causes of death are discussed. The most common postoperative complication is right ventricular outflow tract-obstruction (RVOTO), accounting for two late deaths and necessitating reoperations in many patients. Besides RVOTO the mid-term results in arterial switch-operation are encouraging. Especially satisfactory are the absence of any problems with growth of the transferred coronary arteries, the function of the new aortic valve as well as the performance of the left ventricle. Of course, long-term experience is not yet available.