Atrial tachyarrhythmias after atrial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries: Treating old surgery with new catheters

Abstract

The arterial switch operation has been the procedure of first choice for correction of transposition of the great arteries (TGA) for several decades now. However, a large number of adult patients with TGA nowadays were palliated previously by either a Mustard or a Senning procedure. Atrial tachyarrhythmias (ATs) are frequently observed during long-term follow-up of patients with TGA after these atrial switch corrections and are associated with both morbidity and mortality. Because of the complex postoperative anatomy in these patients, ablative therapy for these tachyarrhythmias can be challenging. The goals of this review are to discuss the most prevalent ATs in patients after the Mustard or Senning procedure and to summarize (long-term) outcomes of ablative therapy. In addition, recent developments in ablative therapy for ATs in this patient population are outlined.

Keywords: Ablative therapy; Atrial tachyarrhythmia; Congenital heart disease; Mustard operation; Senning operation; Transposition of the great arteries.