Management strategy and long term outcome for truncus arteriosus

Abstract

Objective: Evaluation of a consistent policy of elective repair of truncus arteriosus at 2-3 months of age for the patients who are independent of hospital ward care, and long term outcome. Methods: Retrospective study of 82 patients with truncus arteriosus who underwent total repair at the Victorian Paediatric Cardiac Surgical Unit between 1979 and December 1995. The timing was based on a consistent policy of elective repair at 2-3 months of age for patients who were independent of hospital ward care. Earlier repair was performed when the patients were in uncontrolled congestive heart failure. Results: Follow-up was complete for all patients with a mean of 76 months (1-183). There were 11 h..