Correction of transposition of the great arteries: Relationship of the coronary sinus and postoperative arrhythmias.

Between 1967 and 1973, 86 patients underwent total correction of transposition of the great arteries. There were 6 hospital deaths for an in-hospital survival of 93% with three late deaths. Seventy-two patients had repair with standard cardiopulmonary bypass and 14 infants were corrected with profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest. The incidence of postoperative dysrhythmia was less in the group in whom the coronary sinus was not incised but yet placed into the systemic venous return. Postoperative rhythm disturbance was greatest when the coronary sinus was widely opened and placed with the venous return. This observed decrease in incidence of atrial dysrhythmia may be related to not incising the coronary sinus and placing the sutures very superficial in the area between the sinus and the tricuspid valve.