Influence of Antegrade Pulmonary Blood Flow on Outcomes of Superior Cavopulmonary Connection

Background: We sought to characterize short- and long-term outcomes after superior cavopulmonary connection (SCPC) in children eligible for inclusion of antegrade pulmonary blood flow (APBF) in the SCPC circuit, exploring whether maintaining APBF was associated with outcomes. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with single-ventricle heart disease and APBF who underwent SCPC at our center between January 1, 2000, and September 30, 2017. Patients were divided into 2 groups: APBF eliminated (APBF−), and APBF maintained (APBF+) at the time of SCPC. Results: Of 149 patients, 108 (72.5%) were in APBF− and 41 (27.5%) were in APBF+. Of those in APBF+, 5 (12.2%) subsequently had APBF eliminated after SCPC. Patients in APBF+ had a higher prevalence of chest tube duration >10 days and underwent more interventions during the post-SCPC hospitalization (1.9% vs 12%; P = .008 for both) but had shorter surgical support times at SCPC (P < .0001). There were no differences in post-SCPC intensive care unit or hospital length of stay. During the study period, 82 patients (76%) in APBF− and 22 patients (54%) in APBF+ underwent Fontan completion. Patients in APBF+ had a greater weight gain from SCPC to Fontan (6.7 [1.8-22] kg vs 8.15 [4.4-20.6] kg; P = .012) and a shorter hospital length of stay after Fontan (9 [4-107] days vs 7.5 [4-14] days; P = .044). Conclusions: Short-term morbidity associated with maintaining APBF at the time of SCPC is modest, but longer term outcomes suggest potential benefits in those in whom APBF can be successfully maintained.