Evaluation of Left Ventricular Function Long Term After Arterial Switch Operation for Transposition of the Great Arteries

Long-term after arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries, abnormal coronary anatomy and altered loading conditions could compromise ventricular function. The current study investigates whether left ventricular function, measured with echocardiographic bi-plane ejection fraction and deformation imaging, in patients long term after arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries differs from healthy peers. A cross-sectional cohort study of patients at least 12 years after arterial switch operation was analyzed with bi-plane Simpson’s left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and deformation (speckle tracking) echocardiography. 81 patients, median age 20.6 (interquartile range 13.5–28.4) years, were included. LVEF was normal on average at 55.5 ± 6.1%. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) was lower in patients compared to healthy peers throughout all age groups and on pooled average (− 15.4 ± 1.1% vs. − 23.2 ± 0.9%). Although LVEF is normal on average in patients after arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries, GLS is impaired compared to healthy peers. The reduced GLS could indicate sub-clinical myocardial dysfunction.