Surgical management of congenital obstruction of the left main coronary artery with supravalvular aortic stenosis

Objective: Stenosis of the left main coronary artery is a recognized complicating feature of supravalvular aortic stenosis, We have retrospectively identified three anatomic subtypes of left main coronary obstruction in patients with supravalvular aortic stenosis, each necessitating a distinct surgical approach. Methods: From 1991 to 1998, 9 patients underwent surgical repair of supravalvular aortic stenosis and left main coronary stenosis, Five patients (group 1) had obstruction from near-circumferential thickening of the left main ostium, 2 patients (group 2) had restricted coronary flow due to fusion of an aortic valve leaflet to the supravalvular ridge, and 2 patients (group 3) had diffuse narrowing of the left main coronary artery, Group 1 patients were treated with patch aortoplasty encompassing the left main ostium and supravalvular aortic stenosis, Group 3, patients were treated with excision of the fused leaflet from the aortic wall and patch aortoplasty, Group 3 patients were treated with bypass grafting and aortoplasty. Results: Surgical strategy was determined by coronary angiography and intraoperative assessment of coronary anatomy. There was I early death. All surviving patients underwent echocardiography with or without postoperative catheterization, The mean postoperative supravalvular gradient for 7 patients was 8 mm Hg (range 2-15 mm Hg), One patient required reoperation for a residual aortic gradient as a result of aortic arch involvement. No evidence of left main coronary artery stenosis was seen in groups 1 and 2; bypass grafts were patent in group 3 patients at a mean follow-up of 53.8 months. Conclusion: Three subtypes of left main coronary stenosis with supravalvular aortic stenosis are described. Each anatomic type mandates an individual surgical approach. Favorable surgical outcomes are achievable with each category.