Abstract
Background: Outcome data for Grown up congenital heart (GUCH) surgery in a developing country like Pakistan are limited. We describe our experience of GUCH surgery at Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology in comparison with the results from developed countries.
Methods: The data of patient who underwent GUCH surgery from Feb 2013 to Feb 2015, was retrieved from our dedicated Database. Patient characteristics, morbidity and mortality were described. We examined our data to evaluate the scope of GUCH surgeries in a predominantly Adult Cardiac Surgery center in a developing country.
Results: A total of 170 patients of GUCH surgery were found in the database. Median age, body weight and body surface area (BSA) were 19 years, 42.75 kg and 1.37 m2 respectively. The operative procedures included Isolated ASD Repair (n=71), ASD with valve Repair (n=8), total correction of Fallot's Tetralogy (n=29), Isolated VSD repair (n=20), VSD repair with valve Repair/Replacement (n=7), Isolated PDA ligations (n=12), and repair of Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connections was done (n=3). Nine patients underwent miscellaneous operations including Coarctation repairs, Modified BT shunts, Glenn Shunt, AVSD repair, Pulmonary valvotomy and resection of sub-aortic membrane. One patient underwent Redo TOF with Pulmonary valve replacement. The median CPB time was 58 mins, median ICU stay was 24 hrs and median length of hospital stay was 6 days. Overall hospital mortality was 4.7 %,
Conclusion: In a developing country like Pakistan where the services for congenital heart surgery are not fully developed, operating upon grown up congenital hearts in an adult cardiac setting is a challenge worth taken.