Efficacy of Incisional Ropivacaine Infiltration by Presternal Multi-Orifice Catheter for Post-sternotomy Pain Relief in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of incisional ropivacaine infiltration by presternal multi-orifice catheter to manage poststernotomy pain in pediatric cardiac surgery. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, and double-blind comparative study. SETTING: At a single-institution tertiary referral cardiac center. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised 200 children undergoing cardiac surgeries through a midline sternotomy. INTERVENTIONS: Children were allocated randomly to 1 of 3 groups. Group A (n = 65) and group B (n = 64) received 0.375% ropivacaine infusion and intermittent bolus, respectively, by presternal multi-orifice catheter, whereas Group C (n = 64) did not receive any local anesthetic (LA) drug. Postoperatively, intravenous paracetamol was used for multimodal analgesia, and fentanyl was given as rescue analgesia, respectively. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Pain was assessed by a Modified Objective Pain Score (MOPS) for 48 hours postextubation. Group B had significantly lower early MOPS at the first hour, but in the later period, the mean MOPS was lower in group A. The requirement of the first rescue analgesia was 3 ± 1.51, 6.1 ± 2.26, and 2.6 ± 0.87 hours for groups A (n = 60), B (n = 60), and C (n = 60), respectively. The 48-hour fentanyl consumption was significantly lower (p < 0.001) in group A (0.5 ± 0.68 µg/kg) and group B (0.7 ± 0.86 µg/kg) than the control group (3.4 ± 0.68 µg/kg). The length of intensive care unit stay was lower (p < 0.001) in groups A and B than in group C; however, the length of hospital stay was comparable (p = 0.07). CONCLUSION: LA bolus and infusion through presternal multi-orifice catheter provided effective analgesia postoperatively. However, the bolus was more efficacious in the early phase but equivalent in later periods. Therefore, bolus and LA infusion can be used for steady poststernotomy pain relief in children undergoing cardiac surgeries.

A randomised controlled comparison of serratus anterior plane, pectoral nerves and intercostal nerve block for post-thoracotomy analgesia in adult cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery is centred around multimodal analgesia which is becoming increasingly feasible with the advent of safer regional analgesic techniques such as fascial plane blocks. We designed this prospective, single-blind, randomised controlled study to compare the efficacy of serratus anterior plane block (SAPB), pectoral nerves (Pecs) II block, and intercostal nerve block (ICNB) for post-thoracotomy analgesia in cardiac surgery. METHODS: 100 adults posted for cardiac surgery through a thoracotomy were randomly allocated to one of the three groups: SAPB, Pecs II or, ICNB wherein the patients received 2.5 mg/kg of 0.5% ropivacaine for ultrasound-guided block after completion of surgery. Postoperatively, intravenous (IV) paracetamol was used for multimodal and fentanyl was employed as rescue analgesia. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was evaluated at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 hours post-extubation. RESULTS: The early mean VAS scores at 2, 4 and 6 hours were comparable in the 3 groups. The late mean VAS (8, 10 and 12 hours) was significantly lower in the SAPB and Pecs II group compared with that of the ICNB group (P value <0.05). The cumulative rescue fentanyl dose was significantly higher in ICNB group compared to SAPB and Pecs II group (P value <0.001). The SAPB group had the highest time to 1st rescue analgesic requirement in contrast to the other groups. CONCLUSION: SAPB and Pecs II blocks are simple single-shot effective alternatives to ICNB with a prolonged analgesic duration following thoracotomy and can potentially enhance pain-free recovery after cardiac surgery.

Efficacy of Bilateral Erector Spinae Plane Block in Management of Acute Postoperative Surgical Pain After Pediatric Cardiac Surgeries Through a Midline Sternotomy.

OBJECTIVE: Regional analgesia continues to evolve with the introduction of ultrasound-guided fascial plane blocks. Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a novel technique gaining recent acceptability as a perioperative modality of analgesia in various thoracic and abdominal surgeries. However, literature on the use of ESPB in pediatric cardiac surgery is limited. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, single-blind, comparative study. SETTING: Single-institution tertiary referral cardiac center. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty children with acyanotic congenital heart disease undergoing cardiac surgery through midline sternotomy. INTERVENTIONS: The subjects were allocated randomly into 2 groups: ESPB (group B, n = 40) received ultrasound-guided bilateral ESPB at the level of T3 transverse process and control (group C, n = 40) receiving no block. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The postoperative pain was assessed using Modified Objective Pain Scores (MOPS) which were evaluated at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 hours after extubation. Group B demonstrated significantly reduced MOPS as compared with group C until the 10th postoperative hour (p < 0.0001), with comparable MOPS at the 12th hour. The consumption of postoperative rescue fentanyl was also significantly less in group B in comparison to group C (p < 0.0001) with a longer duration to first rescue dose requirement in group B. In addition, the group B showed lower postoperative sedation scores and intensive care unit stay in contrast to group C. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided bilateral ESPB presents a simple, innovative, reliable, and effective postoperative analgesic modality for pediatric cardiac surgeries contemplated through a midline sternotomy.

Can Echocardiographic Right Ventricular Function Parameters Predict Vasoactive Support Requirement After Tetralogy of Fallot Repair?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of echocardiographic right ventricular function parameters in predicting postoperative vasoactive inotrope requirement after tetralogy of Fallot repair. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: A tertiary care hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-two children undergoing elective intracardiac repair. INTERVENTIONS: Comprehensive transesophageal echocardiography was performed before and after surgery. Fractional shortening, fractional area change, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), right ventricular myocardial performance index, tricuspid annular velocities (S', E', A'), and right ventricular global longitudinal strain and strain rate (RV Gls and RV Glsr) were measured. The ratio of peak systolic pressure of the right and left ventricles (Prv/lv) was measured directly from the surgical field pre- and post-repair. The inotrope requirement during first 24 postoperative hours was calculated using the mean Vasoactive-Inotropic Score (VIS). Pearson correlation analysis was used to study the relation between echocardiographic parameters and VIS as well as Prv/lv and VIS. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to study the predictive strength of parameters. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Among the measured parameters, both pre- and post-repair TAPSE had significant negative correlation with the mean VIS (p < 0.05). Both pre- and post-repair right ventricular myocardial performance index and S', E', A', RV Gls, RV Glsr, Prv/lv also had significant correlation with the mean VIS (p < 0.05). Of these, TAPSE, RV Gls, RV Glsr, and Prv/lv had significant predictive strength (p < 0.05) and reasonable sensitivity and specificity (area under the curve > 0.6) for predicting high mean VIS (VIS > 20). CONCLUSION: Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, RV Gls, RV Glsr, and Prv/lv could predict a postoperative high mean VIS with significant strength and reasonable sensitivity and specificity.

Bilateral Erector Spinae Plane Block for Acute Post-Surgical Pain in Adult Cardiac Surgical Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the analgesic efficacy of bilateral erector spinae plane (ESP) block compared with conventional treatment for pain after cardiac surgery in adult patients. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, controlled, single-blinded study. SETTING: Single-center tertiary teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and six adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized into 2 groups. Patients in group 1 (ESP block group, n = 53) received ultrasound-guided bilateral ESP block with 3 mg/kg of 0.375% ropivacaine before anesthesia induction at the T6 transverse process level. Patients in group 2 (paracetamol and tramadol group, n = 53) received paracetamol (1 gm every 6 hours) and tramadol (50 mg every 8 hours) intravenously in the postoperative period. The primary study outcome was to evaluate pain at rest using an 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS). Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparing NRS scores. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The postoperative pain level after extubation and duration of analgesia during which NRS was < 4 of 10 was compared between the groups. The median pain score at rest after extubation in group 1 was 0 of 10 until hour 6, 3 of 10 at hour 8, and 4 of 10 at hours 10 and 12 postextubation. These were significantly less in comparison with group 2 (p = 0.0001). Patients in group 1 had a significantly higher mean duration of analgesia (8.98 ± 0.14 hours), during which NRS was < 4 of 10, compared with group 2 (4.60 ± 0.12 hours) (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: ESP block safely provided significantly better pain relief at rest for longer duration as compared to intravenous paracetamol and tramadol.

Comparison of the Efficacy of Ultrasound-Guided Serratus Anterior Plane Block, Pectoral Nerves II Block, and Intercostal Nerve Block for the Management of Postoperative Thoracotomy Pain After Pediatric Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the relative efficacy of ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plane block (SAPB), pectoral nerves (Pecs) II block, and intercostal nerve block (ICNB) for the management of post-thoracotomy pain in pediatric cardiac surgery. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, single-blind, comparative study. SETTING: Single-institution tertiary referral cardiac center. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised 108 children with congenital heart disease requiring surgery through a thoracotomy. INTERVENTIONS: Children were allocated randomly to 1 of the 3 groups: SAPB, Pecs II, or ICNB. All participants received 3 mg/kg of 0.2% ropivacaine for ultrasound-guided block after induction of anesthesia. Postoperatively, intravenous paracetamol was used for multimodal and fentanyl was used for rescue analgesia. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A modified objective pain score (MOPS) was evaluated at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 hours post-extubation. The early mean MOPS at 1, 2, and 4 hours was similar in the 3 groups. The late mean MOPS was significantly lower in the SAPB group compared with that of the ICNB group (p < 0.001). The Pecs II group also had a lower MOPS compared with the ICNB group at 6, 8, and 10 hours (p < 0.001), but the MOPS was comparable at hour 12 (p = 0.301). The requirement for rescue fentanyl was significantly higher in ICNB group in contrast to the SAPB and Pecs II groups. CONCLUSION: SAPB and Pecs II fascial plane blocks are equally efficacious in post-thoracotomy pain management compared with ICNB, but they have the additional benefit of being longer lasting and are as easily performed as the traditional ICNB.

Relationship between perioperative left atrial appendage doppler velocity estimates and new-onset atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

BACKGROUND: Literature search reveals that postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) occurs in 15%-40% of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients. Although several risk models exist for predicting the development of POAF, few have studied left atrial appendage (LAA) velocity. We hypothesize that an association between LAA velocity and development of POAF exists. DESIGN AND METHODS: Single institution university hospital prospective observational clinical study performed between May 2016 and November 2016 in 96 adult patients undergoing CABG surgery utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Transesophageal echocardiography was performed perioperatively to measure LAA velocity and left atrial (LA) size after anesthetic induction, post-CPB and during the postoperative period before extubation. Student's t-test was used for inter-group comparisons. Data are expressed as mean ± (standard deviation). The value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 95 patients (69 males and 26 females) completed the study and were included in the final analysis. Of these, 21 (22%) (15 males and 5 females) developed POAF. The patient group which developed POAF was compared with the group that did not develop POAF. On comparing mean age of patients in each group (59 years in patients with no POAF and 63.71 years in patients with POAF, P = 0.04). LA volume indexed in POAF group (34.13 ml/m2) compared with that in group with no POAF (34.82 ml/m2) resulted in P = 0.04. Mean LAA velocities (pre-CPB, post-CPB, postoperative Intensive Care Unit) in group with no POAF were 41.06, 56.33, and 60.44 cm/s, respectively, whereas in the other group with POAF the values were 39.68, 55.04, and 58.09 cm/s, respectively. No statistical significance was noted (P > 0.05). Comparison of comorbidities also did not yield any significant results (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Decreasing LAA velocity does not appear to independently predict the development of POAF in patients undergoing CABG surgery with the use of CPB. There is, however, a positive correlation of POAF with age and LA volume.

Management of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis with whole lung lavage using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in a postrenal transplant patient with graft failure.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare lung disease characterized by accumulation of excessive lung surfactant in the alveoli leading to restrictive lung functions and impaired gas exchange. Whole lung lavage (WLL) is the treatment modality of choice, which is usually performed using double lumen endobronchial tube insertion under general anesthesia and alternating unilateral lung ventilation and washing with normal saline. It may be difficult to perform WLL in patients with severe hypoxemia wherein patients do not tolerate single lung ventilation. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support (ECMO) has been used in such patients. We report a patient with autoimmune PAP following renal transplant who presented with marked hypoxemia and was managed by WLL under ECMO support.

Nutcracker syndrome in a young female with solitary functional left ovary: a surgical challenge.

Nutcracker syndrome (NCS), a rare clinical entity, when refractory to medical management warrants surgical intervention. In the following discussion, we present a case of NCS which was managed successfully by left renal vein transposition using a decompression shunt.

Adenosine stress myocardial perfusion scintigraphy in pediatric patients after arterial switch operation.

CONTEXT: Arterial switch operation (ASO) has become the established treatment for correction of transposition of great arteries (TGA). Despite the immediate correction of abnormal hemodynamics, acute and delayed complications related to the coronaries may cause morbidity and mortality. AIMS: We evaluated the incidence of perfusion abnormalities and safety of adenosine by stress-rest myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) [myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS)] using Tc-99m Sestamibi (MIBI) in asymptomatic children post-ASO. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Prospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective, single-institutional study where stress-rest MPS was performed on 10 children of age between 1.25 and 6 years. Two of the patients had additional ventricular septal defect, one patient had left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, and another had Taussig-Bing anomaly. All the patients underwent corrective surgery as a single-stage procedure at the age of 176 ± 212 days (range 9-560 days). Adenosine was administered at a rate of 140 µg/kg/min intravenously as continuous infusion for duration of 6 min. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: All the continuous variables were summarized as mean ± standard deviation, or range and median. Mann-Whitney test for unpaired data and Wilcoxon Rank test for paired samples were used. RESULTS: The average increase in heart rate over the basal heart rate after adenosine stress was 59.7 ± 17.0%. No acute or remote complications were observed in any case. None of the patients demonstrated myocardial perfusion defects, either at rest or after adenosine stress. CONCLUSIONS: MPS post-adenosine induced vasodilatation is safe and feasible in patients of ASO for transposition of great arteries. One-stage repair, implantation of excised coronary buttons within neo-aortic sinus, and minimal or no mobilization of proximal coronaries may eliminate the occurrence of perfusion defects in patients of corrected TGA.

Ductal recanalization and stenting for late presenters with TGA intact ventricular septum.

INTRODUCTION: The ideal management strategy for patients presenting late with transposition of great arteries (TGA), intact ventricular septum (IVS), and regressed left ventricle (LV) is not clear. Primary switch, two-stage switch, and Senning operation are the options. Left ventricular retraining prior to arterial switch by ductal stenting may be effective, but the experience is very limited. METHODS: Five of six children aged 3-6 months with TGA-IVS and regressed LV underwent recanalization and transcatheter stenting of ductus arteriosus. The ductal stent was removed during arterial switch surgery. RESULTS: The procedure was successful in 5/6 patients. All the patients had totally occluded ductus and needed recanalization with coronary total occlusion hardware. The ductus was dilated and stented with coronary stents. In all the patients, there was significant luminal narrowing despite adequate stent placement and deployment. Two patients needed reintervention for abrupt closure of the stent. Ductal stenting resulted in left ventricular preparedness within 7-14 days. One patient died of progressive sepsis after 14 days of stenting, even though the LV was prepared. Four patients underwent successful uneventful arterial switch surgery. During surgery, it was observed that the mucosal folds of duct were protruding through the struts of the stent in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: Ductal stenting is a good alternative strategy for left ventricular retraining in TGA with regressed LV even in patients with occluded ducts.

Emergency manual systemic-to-pulmonary artery autotransfusion for severe cyanotic spell.

Cyanotic spell is an important complication of tetralogy of Fallot. We report a simple, innovative method that bailed out a patient with life-threatening, refractory cyanotic spell in the catheterization laboratory. Manual autotransfusion of blood from aorta into the pulmonary arteries resulted in significant clinical improvement.

Comparison of three dose regimens of aprotinin in infants undergoing the arterial switch operation.

To determine the most effective dose regimen of aprotinin for infants undergoing arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries in reducing blood loss and postoperative packed red blood cell (PRBC) requirements. A total of 24 infants scheduled for arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries were included in the study. The infants were randomly assigned to one of the three groups. Group I (n = 8) patients received aprotinin in a dose of 20,000 kallikrein inhibiting units (KIU)/kg after induction of anesthesia, 20,000 KIU/kg was added to the pump prime, and 20,000 KIU/kg/hour infusion for three hours after weaning from bypass; group II (n = 8) patients received aprotinin 30,000 KIU/kg after induction of anesthesia, 30,000 KIU/kg was added to the pump prime and 30,000 KIU/Kg/hour infusion for three hours after weaning from bypass; group III patients (n = 8) received aprotinin 40,000 KIU/kg after induction of anesthesia, 40,000 KIU/kg was added to the pump prime and 40,000 KIU/kg/hour infusion for three hours after weaning from bypass. Postoperatively, the cumulative hourly blood loss and PRBC requirements were noted up to 24 hours from the time of admission in the intensive care unit (ICU). Use of blood and blood products were noted. Coagulation parameters such as hematocrit, activated clotting time (ACT), fibrinogen, prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR), platelet count, and fibrin degradation products (FDP) were investigated before cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), after protamine administration, and at four hours postoperatively in the ICU. The number of infants reexplored for increased mediastinal drainage was recorded. Renal functions were monitored by measuring urine output (hourly) and serum urea (mg%) and serum creatinine (mg%) at 24 hours. The sternal closure time was comparable in all the three groups. Cumulative blood loss (ml/kg/24 hours) was greatest in group I (17.30 +/- 7.7), least in group III (8.14 +/- 3.17), whereas in group II, it was 16.45 +/- 6.33 (P = 0.019 group I versus group III; (P = 0.036 group II versus group III). Postoperative PRBC requirements were significantly less in high dose group III (P = 0.008, group I versus III; p = 0.116, group II versus group III) . Tests for coagulation performed at four hours postoperatively, viz. ACT, PT, INR, FDP, and platelets were comparable in the three groups. Urine output on CPB was comparable in all the groups. Serum urea and creatinine showed no significant difference between the three groups twenty four hours postoperatively. Aprotinin dosage regimen of 40,000 KIU/kg at induction, in CPB prime and postoperatively for three hours was most effective in reducing postoperative blood loss and PRBC transfusion requirements. Aprotinin does not have any adverse effect on renal function.

Effect of rectal diclofenac in reducing postoperative pain and rescue analgesia requirement after cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Adequate analgesic medication is mandatory after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the analgesic efficacy, side effects, and need for rescue analgesia after CABG surgery comparing diclofenac and placebo rectal suppository. METHODS: Thirty-seven consenting adults undergoing elective CABG surgery were randomly assigned in a double-blind fashion to receive either rectal diclofenac 100 mg (Group 1, n = 19) or placebo suppository (Group 2, n = 18) postoperatively, just after extubation. Both groups were given intravenous tramadol as a rescue analgesic. Pain scores in the two groups were assessed on a 10-cm visual analog scale at 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after suppository administration. Rescue analgesic consumption, sedation, nausea, and vomiting in both the groups were also recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-four-hour tramadol consumption in Group 1 was 92.5 +/- 33.5 mg compared to 157.5 +/- 63.4 mg in Group 2 (P = 0.002). Patients in the placebo group had significantly greater pain scores 1.5 to 12 hours after extubation. Group 1 patients were significantly more awake compared to Group 2 (P < 0.05). The incidence of postoperative nausea was less in Group 1 than in Group 2 (P = 0.001). Though not statistically significant, three patients in Group 2 each had a single episode of vomiting, whereas no patient had vomiting in Group 1. CONCLUSION: Rectal diclofenac suppository with tramadol provides adequate pain relief after cardiac surgery, and also reduces tramadol consumption and side effects commonly associated with tramadol.

Specific issues after surgical repair of partial atrioventricular septal defect: actuarial survival, freedom from reoperation, fate of the left atrioventricular valve, prevalence of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, and other events.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to define the prevalence of specific sequelae after repair of partial atrioventricular septal defect. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 132 consecutive patients undergoing repair of partial atrioventricular septal defect were studied for mortality, left atrioventricular valve function, reoperations, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, and supraventricular arrhythmias. Age was 2.5 months to 43 years (median, 54 months); 13 (9.8%) were more than 20 years old. Preoperatively, 26.5% patients were in New York Heart Association class III/IV, 15.9% had supraventricular arrhythmias, 25.7% had pulmonary artery hypertension, 16.6% had moderate-to-severe left valvular regurgitation, and 29.5% had additional left atrioventricular valvular malformations. Autologous pericardium (n = 127) and right atrial patch (n = 5) were used to patch the defect. Left atrioventricular valvuloplasty was performed in 91% of patients despite older age and additional malformations of the left atrioventricular valve. RESULTS: Operative and late mortalities were 4.5% and 3.2%, respectively. Postoperative supraventricular arrhythmias were observed in 11.3% of patients. Reoperations were required in 5.8% patients because of a residual atrial septal defect (n = 1) and severe left atrioventricular valvular regurgitation (n = 6). At a mean follow-up of 106.82 +/-55.04 months, actuarial survival was 83.70% +/- 0.07%. The risk of death was 38.92 (95% confidence intervals: 7.8-195.1) and 6.88 (95% confidence intervals: 1.79-38.18) times higher in patients with grossly malformed left atrioventricular valve and preoperative pulmonary artery hypertension, respectively, by logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Detailed assessment of the valve morphology and individualized valvuloplasty techniques improves the long-term survival after repair of partial atrioventricular septal defects. The presence of grossly malformed left valvular apparatus, pulmonary artery hypertension, and moderate-to-severe left atrioventricular valve regurgitation are independent predictors of death and defect-related morbidity after surgical repair.

Mixed total anomalous pulmonary venous connection: anatomic variations, surgical approach, techniques, and results.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify the morphologic characteristics and other risk factors that may predispose patients with mixed totally anomalous pulmonary venous connection to continuing high mortality after surgery. METHODS: Fifty-seven consecutive patients aged 15 days to 18 years (median, 6 months) underwent rechanneling of mixed totally anomalous pulmonary venous connection. Twenty-three patients had "2+2" pattern (I category), 29 had "3+1" pattern (II category), and 5 patients had pulmonary venous connections of different combinations (III category). Obstructive patterns involving one or more pulmonary veins were present in 19 (33.3%) patients. RESULTS: Operative and late mortality rates were 19.3% and 4.3%, respectively. At a mean follow-up of 63.26 +/- 58.47 months, actuarial survival was 86.9% +/- 0.07% in category I, 86.2% +/- 0.06% in category II, and 20.0% +/- 0.18% in category III (log-rank, P = .001), respectively. At their last follow-up, all survivors (n = 43) had a Ross clinical heart failure score of 0 to 2. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a "2+2" pattern of mixed totally anomalous pulmonary venous connection constitute the safe anatomic category for rechanneling, followed by the "3+1" variety. Cross-sectional echocardiography and/or computed tomographic angiography are mandatory to provide necessary diagnostic information and define the anatomy. Patients aged 2 months or younger, obstructive totally anomalous pulmonary venous connection, and perioperative pulmonary hypertensive crises were significant risk factors for death by logistic regression analysis. The risk of death was 5.85 times higher (95% confidence interval: 1.46-35.68; P = .02) in patients with category III of mixed TAPVC. The precise technique adopted in an individual patient depends on the pattern of anatomic drainage, and an individualized surgical approach is recommended.