Reoperative Multivalve Surgery in Adult Congenital Heart Disease

Background. Repeat operations are common in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) and valve-related procedures are the most frequent indication for intervention. The purpose of this study is to review a single institution's experience with a large number of patients with ACHD undergoing reoperation requiring multivalve intervention. Methods. Data from the most recent repeat median sternotomy of 254 consecutive ACHD patients with simultaneous intervention on 2 or more valves were analyzed. Mean age of 136 (54%) female and 118 (46%) male patients was 37.9 years (range, 18 to 83). Diagnoses were conotruncal anomaly 132 (52%), Ebstein-tricuspid valve 41(16%), pulmonary stenosis and right ventricular outflow tract obstruction 37 (14%), atrioventricular septal defect 22 (9%), and other 22 (9%). It was the second sternotomy in 130 (51%) patients, third in 80 (31%), fourth in 34 (13%), and fifth in 10 (4%). Results. Intervention was on 2 valves in 219 patients (86.2%), 3 in 34 patients (13.4%), and 4 in 1 patient (0.4%). The most common valve combination was tricuspid and pulmonary (117, 43%). Early mortality overall was 4.7% (12 of 254) and 2.9% (7 of 239) after elective operation. Potentially modifiable risk factors identified for early mortality were preoperative hematocrit less than 35 (p = 0.01), cross-clamp time (p < 0.001), and cardiopulmonary bypass time (p < 0.001). Late survival was 96%, 89%, and 77% at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. Independent risk factors for late mortality were prolonged ventilation (p = 0.002), coronary artery disease (p = 0.005), and cardiac injury (p = 0.018). Conclusions. The need for simultaneous intervention on multiple valves is relatively common in ACHD, particularly with conotruncal anomalies. Prolonged bypass and cross-clamp times, lower hematocrit, and acquired coronary artery disease are significant predictors of adverse outcome. The number or position of valves requiring intervention did not affect early or late survival. (Ann Thorac Surg 2013;95:1383-9) (c) 2013 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons