[Radical anatomic correction of transposition of great arteries in neonates. A new program of treatment of critical congenital heart defects].

METHODS AND RESULTS

From the group of 110 neonates born with transposition of the great arteries during 1991-1994 that were referred for the treatment to Kardiocentrum, University Hospital Prague-Motol, 46 neonates with simple transposition were operated on according to the criteria for anatomical correction (arterial switch) at the mean age of 9 days (4-20 days). Fourteen infants with transposition and large ventricular septal defect were corrected with arterial switch at the mean age of 2.5 months (5 weeks-9 months). Fifty neonates that did not meet criteria for arterial switch procedure were indicated for correction at the atrial level (Senning procedure) that has been performed at the mean age of 5 months (1-10 months). Out of 46 operated neonates 10 died following the operation and one child died 2 months later after surgery. There were 2 death out of last 20 neonates (10%). Thirty five children surviving 1-4 years after anatomical arterial correction of transposition are without complaints in excellent condition, NYHA class I.

CONCLUSIONS

The procedure of the anatomical correction at the level of the great arteries (arterial switch) according to Jatene, that has been successfully introduced at Kardiocentrum, University Hospital Prague-Motol, has been reproducible and became the method of choice for operations of transposition of the great arteries in neonates with the suitable anatomy.