Development and impact of arrhythmias after the Norwood procedure: A report from the Pediatric Heart Network

Matthew E. Oster, Shan Chen, Nicholas Dagincourt, Yaniv Bar-Cohen, Matthew Brothers, Nicole Cain, Steven D. Colan, Richard J. Czosek, Jamie A. Decker, David G. Gamboa, Salim F. Idriss, Joel A. Kirsh, Martin J. LaPage, Richard G. Ohye, Elizabeth Radojewski, Maully Shah, Eric S. Silver, Anoop K. Singh, Joel D. Temple, John TriedmanJonathan R. Kaltman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives The study objective was to determine the predictors of new-onset arrhythmia among infants with single-ventricle anomalies during the post-Norwood hospitalization and the association of those arrhythmias with postoperative outcomes (ventilator time and length of stay) and interstage mortality. Methods After excluding patients with preoperative arrhythmias, we used data from the Pediatric Heart Network Single Ventricle Reconstruction Trial to identify risk factors for tachyarrhythmias (atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, supraventricular tachycardia, junctional ectopic tachycardia, and ventricular tachycardia) and atrioventricular block (second or third degree) among 544 eligible patients. We then determined the association of arrhythmia with outcomes during the post-Norwood hospitalization and interstage period, adjusting for identified risk factors and previously published factors. Results Tachyarrhythmias were noted in 20% of subjects, and atrioventricular block was noted in 4% of subjects. Potentially significant risk factors for tachyarrhythmia included the presence of modified Blalock–Taussig shunt (P = .08) and age at Norwood (P = .07, with risk decreasing each day at age 8-20 days); the only significant risk factor for atrioventricular block was undergoing a concomitant procedure at the time of the Norwood (P = .001), with the greatest risk being in those undergoing a tricuspid valve procedure. Both tachyarrhythmias and atrioventricular block were associated with longer ventilation time and length of stay (P < .001 for all analyses). Tachyarrhythmias were not associated with interstage mortality; atrioventricular block was associated with mortality among those without a pacemaker in the unadjusted analysis (hazard ratio, 2.3; P = .02), but not after adding covariates. Conclusions Tachyarrhythmias are common after the Norwood procedure, but atrioventricular block may portend a greater risk for interstage mortality.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)638-645.e2
JournalJournal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
Volume153
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Norwood
  • arrhythmia
  • atrioventricular block
  • mortality
  • outcomes
  • single ventricle
  • tachyarrhythmia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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