Background: Early establishment of a two-coronary artery system has become the standard surgical approach in patients with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery. After surgical repair, presentation of severely impaired ventricular function and mitral regurgitation is a common finding.
Methods: We reviewed midterm outcome of 18 consecutive patients with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) undergoing surgical repair for establishment of dual coronary system operated on between September 1999 and July 2009. Mortality, morbidity, echocardiography assessment of left ventricular function, mitral valve regurgitation, and indications for reoperation were studied retrospectively.
Results: The mean age at the time of surgery was 26 ± 44 months (range, 14 days-12.7 years), 14 patients were younger than 6 months. There was no in-hospital or late mortality. Recovery of left ventricular function was associated with improvement in the degree of mitral valve regurgitation. At the latest follow-up, mitral valve regurgitation was none or trace in 14 patients (78%), mild to moderate in 3 patients (16%), and remained severe in 1 patient (6%). Left ventricular function normalized in 16 patients and remained mildly impaired in 2 patients. Late postoperative echocardiograms demonstrated a patent left coronary artery in 17 patients. In 5 patients temporary left heart bypass (LHB) was needed.
Conclusions: Early establishment of a 2-coronary artery system artery results in complete recovery of left ventricular function and without relevant mitral valve dysfunction. Reoperation rates are acceptable. Our results support the use of LHB in patients with refractory low cardiac output. The need of mechanical circulatory support was short and very effective in our patient cohort.
Keywords: anomalous coronary artery from pulmonary artery; outcome.