Ann Thorac Surg. 2019 Aug 09. pii: S0003-4975(19)31161-0. [Epub ahead of print]
BACKGROUND: While overall outcomes have improved for single ventricle patients, substantial morbidity and mortality remain for certain high-risk groups. The hybrid stage I procedure is an alternative to the Norwood operation for stage I palliation, but it remains unclear whether it is associated with improved outcomes in high-risk patients.
METHODS: This single-center nested case-control study included high-risk patients with a systemic right ventricle who underwent hybrid stage I or Norwood palliation from January 2000 to December 2016. High-risk features included prematurity <34 weeks, birth weight <2.5 kg, restrictive/intact atrial septum, ≥moderate atrioventricular valve regurgitation or right ventricular dysfunction, genetic or extra-cardiac anomalies, or left ventricular sinusoids. Patients were matched by presence of genetic anomaly, restrictive/intact atrial septum, and prematurity/weight <2 kg. Early and mid-term outcomes were compared in the matched hybrid versus Norwood groups.
RESULTS: The study included 96 patients (35 hybrid, 61 Norwood). Despite improved thirty-day survival in hybrid patients (91% versus 66%, p<0.01), one-year survival was similar between the hybrid and Norwood groups (46% versus 48%, p=0.9). No hybrid patients required dialysis or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation following stage I palliation as compared to 19% and 22% of Norwood patients, respectively (both p<0.01). Hybrid patients, however, required more unplanned reinterventions (43% versus 21%, p=0.02).
CONCLUSIONS: There remains significant morbidity and mortality among high-risk single ventricle infants. Despite an early survival benefit, hybrid stage I palliation has not been associated with improved mid-term outcomes at our center.