Preoperative echocardiographic parameters do not predict early outcomes after arterial switch operation in late-presenting transposition of the great arteries with intact ventricular septum

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether preoperative echocardiographic parameters can predict early postoperative outcomes after arterial switch operation in late-presenting transposition of the great arteries with intact ventricular septum. METHODS: This prospective study examined preoperative demographic characteristics, echocardiographic findings, and left ventricular strain parameters in 35 patients undergoing arterial switch operation for late-presenting transposition of the great arteries with intact ventricular septum. Further, their correlation with postoperative variables, including length of ICU stay, postoperative hospital stay, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support, and inotropic score, was assessed. RESULTS: . The median average left ventricular strain was -24.19. Thirteen patients required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. The whole cohort had a median extracorporeal membrane oxygenation duration of 0 days. The median length of ICU stay was 12 days, and the median length of postoperative hospital stay was 17 days. The median inotropic score was 28. There was no case of early mortality. None of the preoperative echocardiographic parameters showed a statistically significant association with postoperative outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative echocardiographic parameters, including left ventricular strain, did not significantly predict early postoperative outcomes after arterial switch operation in patients with late-presenting transposition of the great arteries with intact ventricular septum. Postoperative outcomes in this patient group are likely influenced by multiple preoperative factors rather than a single preoperative echocardiographic parameter.