# Outcomes following repair of anomalous coronary artery from the pulmonary artery in infants: results from a procedure-based national database

## TL;DR

This study examines the surgical outcomes of infants with a rare heart defect, finding that early surgery leads to good results, though some risk factors like needing extra support after surgery can affect survival.

## Contribution

The study presents the largest series of infants with ACAPA and provides insights into risk factors affecting surgical outcomes.

## Key findings

- Early outcomes for infants with ACAPA repair are generally good with a 1.9% 30-day mortality rate.
- Postoperative ECMO use is a significant risk factor for long-term mortality and coronary reintervention.
- Age under 30 days is a risk factor for mitral reintervention.

## Abstract

Anomalous coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ACAPA) is a very rare congenital anomaly that often occurs during infancy. Patients can present in a critical condition.

We analysed procedure-related data from a national audit database for the period 2000–2013.

A total of 120 patients <1 year had repair of isolated ACAPA using a coronary transfer or the tunnel (Takeuchi) operation. Seven patients (6.8%) required a mitral valve procedure at index and eight patients (7.8%) had a mitral valve repair/replacement during follow-up, including mitral reoperations. Follow-up data (>30 days) were available in 102 patients and the mean follow-up time was 4.7 years. The 30-day overall mortality was 1.9%, higher for neonates (16.7% vs 1%, p=0.1) and after postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) (20% vs 1%, p=0.09). At 10 years the survival estimate is 95.1%, freedom from coronary and mitral reintervention being 95.9% and 91.2%, respectively. Use of postoperative ECMO was a risk factor for long-term mortality (p<0.001). Risk factors for coronary reintervention were age under 30 days (p=0.06) and the need for postoperative ECMO (p=0.02). Age under 30 days (p=0.002) was a risk factor for mitral reintervention.

To our knowledge this is the largest series to date. These preliminary national results show that early outcomes are good and medium-term attrition acceptable. Poor outcomes are correlated with early presentation, also with the need for postoperative circulatory support.