Surgical procedures for coronary arteries in pediatric cardiac surgery: Risk factors and outcomes

J Card Surg. 2021 Jul;36(7):2289-2299. doi: 10.1111/jocs.15547. Epub 2021 Apr 2.

Abstract

Background: Limited data exist regarding the coronary revascularization procedures needed during the repair of several congenital and pediatric cardiac malformations. We aimed to determine risk factors for in-hospital mortality and long-term outcomes of various pediatric coronary revascularization procedures.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 32 consecutive pediatric patients who underwent coronary revascularization procedures at our institution between May 1995 and June 2020. In-hospital mortality, risk factors, surgical indications, revascularization patency, and mid- and long-term follow-up data were investigated. Patients were categorized into the coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 11) and other coronary artery procedure (n = 21) groups.

Results: The median age and weight of patients at the time of surgery were 9 months and 4.8 kg, respectively. There were five in-hospital deaths (5/32, 15.6%). The mortality rates were 27.2% (3/11) in the coronary artery bypass grafting group and 9.5% (2/21) in the other coronary artery procedure group (p = .206; 95% confidence interval: 0.496-25.563). The mortality rates for planned and rescue procedures were 8.3% (2/24) and 37.5% (3/8) (p = .06), respectively. The median follow-up time was 12.5 years. Control imaging studies for coronary patency were performed in 70.3% (19/27) of surviving patients. The overall coronary patency rate was 94.7% (18/19).

Conclusions: Pediatric coronary revascularization procedures with elective-planned indications can be performed with good outcomes. Young age and rescue and emergency procedures may carry an increased risk of in-hospital mortality, although not found to be statistically significant. Surviving patients require lifelong follow-up regarding the patency of reperfused coronary arteries.

Keywords: congenital coronary artery anomalies; coronary artery translocation; pediatric coronary revascularization; rescue procedures for coronary artery; unroofing of coronary artery.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Coronary Artery Bypass
  • Coronary Artery Disease* / surgery
  • Coronary Vessels* / diagnostic imaging
  • Coronary Vessels* / surgery
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome