Method for cardiac transplantation in corrected transposition of the great arteries.

Abstract

A patient with corrected transposition of the great vessels (L-transposition) required cardiac transplantation because of severe myopathy of th systemic ventricle of right ventricular morphology. Because of the L-transposition of the great vessels, a modification of the transplantation procedure was necessary in order to make the great vessel anastomoses. This was accomplished without the need for prosthetic material primarily by extensive removal of donor pulmonary artery and aorta together with the heart. Anastomosis of the recipient ascending aorta was accomplished to the superior aspect of the transverse aortic arch of the donor, and the recipient pulmonary artery to the superior portion of the right pulmonary artery of the donor. The postoperative hemodynamics were normal and a thoracic aortogram one year post-transplant demonstrated the unusual anatomy.