The use of internal and external vascular conduits for correction of D-transposition of the great arteries and double-outlet right ventricle with pulmonary atresia.

Between 1967 and 1978, an 11-year-old boy had undergone 3 separate systemic-pulmonary artery shunt operations. Two of the 3 shunt operations failed. The patient was restudied because of progressive cyanosis and was diagnosed as having D-transposition of the great arteries and double-outlet right ventricle with pulmonary atresia. Repair was successfully accomplished with the use of an internal vascular conduit and an external vascular conduit with a glutaraldehyde-treated porcine valve. Four months after the corrective procedure, the patient's exercise tolerance had improved dramatically.