Management of the ventricular septal defect during double switch operation for atrioventricular discordant connections

Abstract

Management of the ventricular septal defect at the time of the double switch operation can be challenging and deserves careful attention to the anatomic details of ventricular septal defect location, alignment with the appropriate subtended ventricles and their respective atrioventricular valves, and the disposition of the specialized conduction tissue. These anatomic details can differ considerably from hearts with concordant atrioventricular alignments, and further variations of right-left geometry and septal alignment can be exhibited. A case is described that underscores some of the particular challenges associated with management of the ventricular septal defect during double switch operation for hearts with discordant atrioventricular connections and either transposition of the great arteries or double outlet right ventricle.