The Impact of Prematurity on Morbidity and Mortality in Newborns with Dextro-transposition of the Great Arteries

Prematurity is a risk factor for adverse outcomes after arterial switch operation in newborns with d-TGA (d-TGA). In this study, we sought to investigate the impact of prematurity on postnatal and perioperative clinical management, morbidity, and mortality during hospitalization in neonates with simple and complex d-TGA who received arterial switch operation (ASO). Monocentric retrospective analysis of 100 newborns with d-TGA. Thirteen infants (13.0%) were born premature. Preterm infants required significantly more frequent mechanical ventilation in the delivery room (69.2% vs. 34.5%, p = 0.030) and during the preoperative course (76.9% vs. 37.9%, p = 0.014). Need for inotropic support (30.8% vs. 8.0%, p = 0.035) and red blood cell transfusions (46.2% vs. 10.3%, p = 0.004) was likewise increased. Preoperative mortality (23.1% vs 0.0%, p = 0.002) was significantly increased in preterm infants, with necrotizing enterocolitis as cause of death in two of three infants. In contrast, mortality during and after surgery did not differ significantly between the two groups. Cardiopulmonary bypass times were similar in both groups (median 275 vs. 263 min, p = 0.322). After ASO, arterial lactate (34.5 vs. 21.5 mg/dL, p = 0.007), duration of mechanical ventilation (median 175 vs. 106 h, p = 0.038), and venous thrombosis (40.0% vs. 4.7%, p = 0.004) were increased in preterm, as compared to term infants. Gestational age (adjusted unit odds ratio 0.383, 95% confidence interval 0.179–0.821, p = 0.014) was independently associated with mortality. Prematurity is associated with increased perioperative morbidity and increased preoperative mortality in d-TGA patients.