Mid- to long-term outcomes of bovine jugular vein conduit implantation in Chinese children.

BACKGROUND

Bovine jugular vein (BJV) conduits are widely applied for surgical reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). However, relevant studies of valve failure rates and the related risk factors are limited in China. The aim of this study was to assess the BJV prognosis after medium- to long-term follow-up.

METHODS

Fifty-three hospital patients implanted with BJV conduits from January 2002 to December 2013 were recruited. Patient information and follow-up prognosis were reviewed retrospectively. Conduit stenosis and failure as well as endocarditis were diagnosed.

RESULTS

The total person years was 345.5, and the median follow-up time was 6.3 years. Early mortality occurred in two patients, and there was no late mortality. BJV conduit failure occurred in 15 patients (29.4%) due to severe stenosis (n=10), stenosis plus regurgitation (n=3), and regurgitation alone (n=2). The proportion of patients who were free of BJV conduit failure at 1, 3, 5, and 7 years was 98.0%, 85.8%, 76.8%, and 62.1%, respectively. There were nine cases of endocarditis (17.0%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that endocarditis was a significant risk factor associated with BJV conduit failure (OR: 6.735; 95% CI: 1.348-33.647).

CONCLUSIONS

The durability of BJV conduits was suboptimal after a mid-term follow-up period. Endocarditis was found to be a significant risk factor that accelerates BJV conduit deterioration.