European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Feb 2015
Older age at the time of the Norwood procedure is a risk factor for early postoperative mortality†.
The Norwood procedure is commonly used as first-step palliation in children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome or related congenital malformations. In most cases, the operation is carried out during the first week of life. Excessive pulmonary blood flow in univentricular physiology can soon lead to compromised cardiac function and pulmonary hypertension and could have an influence on postoperative outcomes. ⋯ Age older than 20 days seems to be an independent risk factor for early postoperative mortality and fatal events after the Norwood procedure. Long-persisting excessive pulmonary blood flow and preoperative cardiac decompensation can be the reason for postoperative lethal pulmonary hypertensive crisis and compromised ventricular function.