Coronary artery augmentation with the right subclavian artery for single coronary artery variants of dextro transposition of the great arteries treated by an arterial switch operation

OBJECTIVE: Single coronary artery variants in dextro transposition of the great arteries increase the technical demands of performing coronary translocations during the arterial switch operation (ASO). Coronary augmentation using the right subclavian artery as an interposition graft is a viable option in certain cases. The aim of this study is to describe this operative technique and review outcomes. METHODS: Of 59 patients who underwent an ASO, from July 2015 to May 2021, 6 had single coronary variants in which the right subclavian artery was used as an interposition graft. Mean follow-up was 21.5 months. RESULTS: Patients mean age and weight at the time of surgery were 7.1 ± 3.8 days and 2.84 ± 0.76 kg, respectively. Four patients had the left anterior descending coronary artery and right coronary artery coming from the left sinus and the circumflex coronary artery coming from the right sinus. One patient had a single ostium arising from the left sinus and another patient had a single ostium coming from the right sinus. All patients are alive and free of cardiac symptoms at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Single coronary artery variants in dextro transposition of the great arteries can pose technical challenges for coronary translocation during ASO. The augmentation of coronary buttons using a segment of the right subclavian artery is an option which should be considered in selective cases.