Arterial switch operation in patients with Taussig-Bing anomaly - influence of staged repair and coronary anatomy on outcome

Objective: This study evaluated the results of arterial switch operation and closure of ventricular defects (ASO + VSDc) for double outlet right ventricle with sub-pulmonary ventricular septal defect (Taussig-Bing anomaly). Methods: Between 1988 and 2003, 33 patients (25 male, 76%) with Taussig-Bing anomaly underwent ASO + VSDc (median age 39 days, 1 day-2.1 years). The relationship of the great arteries was antero-posterior (Group I, n = 19) or side-by-side (Group II, n = 14). Coronary anatomy (Yacoub's classification) was exclusively type A or D in Group I and predominantly type D or E in Group II (64%). Incidence of sub-aortic obstruction and aortic arch obstruction was similar in Group I and II (37% vs 57%, p = 0.25 and 84% vs 79%, p = 0.98, respectively). Twenty-five patients (76%) had one-stage total correction. Risk factors were analysed using multivariable analysis. Follow-up was complete (median interval of 6.2 years; range, 0.6-15.2 years). Results: There were three early (9%) and one late death. Actuarial survival was 88 ± 6% at 1 and 10 years. There were two early and four late re-operations. Freedom from re-operation was 90 ± 5% and 75 ± 9% at 1 and 10 years. Four patients required cardiological re-interventions. Freedom from re-intervention at 5 and 10 years was 79 ± 9%. On multivariable analysis, complex coronary anatomy (type B and C) was a risk for early mortality (p < 0.001) but all other anatomical variables and staged strategy did not influence early or actuarial survival. Conclusions: The ASO + VSDc approach can be applied to Taussig-Bing anomaly with acceptable mortality and morbidity and it is the procedure of choice at our institution. Anatomical variables did not influence outcomes with this strategy. A staged strategy is still appropriate in complex cases.