Arterial Switch Operation in Developing Countries

The arterial switch operation (ASO) is a relatively complicated procedure which has been shown to have excellent survival. However, the outcomes are rarely reported in developing countries. Poor nutrition and low surgical volume have been proved to be related to hospital mortality, which is higher than that in the developed countries. 1 Schidlow D.N. Jenkins K.J. Gauvreau K. et al. Transposition of the great arteries in the developing world: Surgery and outcomes. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2017; 69: 43-51 Crossref PubMed Scopus (38) Google Scholar We read with interest that Nguyen and colleagues 2 Nguyen M.T. Doan A.V. Tran V.Q. Mai D.D. Nguyen U.H. Nguyen T.L.T. The arterial switch operation in the developing world: risk factors and current outcomes. Ann Thorac Surg. 2024; 117: 543-551 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (0) Google Scholar reported the excellent surgical outcome of the ASO in Vietnam. The Arterial Switch Operation in the Developing World: Risk Factors and Current OutcomesThe Annals of Thoracic SurgeryVol. 117Issue 3PreviewPublished data on the outcomes of the arterial switch operation in the developing world are limited. We sought to identify the midterm outcomes of and risk factors for mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing the arterial switch operation at a high-volume center in Vietnam. Full-Text PDF ASO: Technical Issues Still Had a Significant Impact on OutcomesThe Annals of Thoracic SurgeryVol. 117Issue 3PreviewWe shared the concerns and feelings about the common challenges in the conditions of developing countries when reading the Letter to the Editor from Shi and Li from China.1 In our cohort of 608 patients, the group with transposition of the great arteries with intact ventricular septum had a total of 323 patients; 234 patients (72.4%) were younger than 1 month, 69 patients (21.4%) ranged in age from 1 to 2 months, and 20 patients (6.2%) were older than 2 months. However, our study's findings show that age is not a risk factor for predicting overall death or in-hospital death. Full-Text PDF