European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Vol 10, 546-550, Copyright © 1996 by European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
Atrial switch (Senning procedure) in the era of the arterial switch operation: current indications and results
V Reddy, S Sharma and A Cobanoglu
Department of Surgery, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201, USA.
OBJECTIVE: Since 1990, the policy at Oregon Health Sciences University is
to perform an arterial switch for all patients with transposition of the
great arteries. In the last four years we have performed the Senning
operation in two patients. Our impression is that the long-term results
with Senning procedure at our center are quite good. This prompted a review
of our experience with this procedure. METHODS: A retrospective review of
all patients' charts was undertaken to document preoperative and operative
clinical variables. During follow-up, emphasis was placed on reviewing all
cardiology clinic charts, transthoracic echocardiograms and ambulatory
holter monitor logs. Transthoracic echocardiograms and 24 hour Holter
monitoring were performed yearly on all patients during follow-up. RESULTS:
Since September, 1982, 54 patients underwent the Senning operation for
transposition of the great arteries. All patients were palliated at birth
with the Rashkind atrial septostomy. The interatrial septum was
reconstructed with a dacron patch, and the systemic and pulmonary venous
baffles were constructed with autogenous atrial tissue. All but 2 patients
underwent profound hypothermia and total circulatory arrest during their
operative repair. Of 54 patients, early mortality occurred in 5 patients
(9%). Follow-up is complete for the 49 operative survivors. The length of
follow-up ranges from 6.0 months to 12.1 years (mean 6.4 +/- 0.5 years).
There are no late deaths. Forty-five patients (94%) are in NYHA Class I.
All late survivors are in sinus rhythm with brief episodes of junctional
rhythm (32 patients). CONCLUSIONS: Our series demonstrates that the Senning
operation can be safely performed in early infancy. Further, it provides
excellent symptomatic and clinical outcomes during late follow-up. Thus, in
the era of the arterial switch procedure, close and complete late follow-up
results with the Senning procedure, as in this series, should be considered
the benchmark in the continued evaluation of the arterial switch operation.