Total anomalous pulmonary venous connections and consideration of the Fontan or one-ventricle repair

There is now a considerable literature that babies with right atrial isomerism have a poor outcome. The reasons for this are complex and multifactorial, but may be related at least in part to intrinsically small and abnormal pulmonary veins. We reviewed a series of consecutive patients seen at a single institution and found that babies with right atrial isomerism, severe pulmonary outflow tract obstruction or atresia, and total anomalous obstructed pulmonary veins had a grim outlook, especially those requiring operation in the neonatal period. Others have reported a similarly concerning outcome. (C) 1998 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.