Pseudoaneurysm complicating right ventricle–to–pulmonary artery conduit surgery: Incidence and risk factors

Objectives Although pseudoaneurysm is an uncommon complication after right ventricle–to–pulmonary artery conduit placement, it has the potential to cause significant morbidity and mortality. Methods We performed a review of patients with pseudoaneurysms diagnosed at our institution in a 20-year period (from 1995 through 2015) and compared their clinical characteristics with a group of age- and sex-matched control patients. Results We found that younger age, smaller size, the diagnosis of tetralogy of Fallot, the use of a pulmonary homograft conduit, the presence of an unrestrictive ventricular septal defect after conduit placement, and having at least systemic right ventricular pressure were all more common in patients who had pseudoaneurysms develop. Conclusions This study is unique in identifying both patient and surgical factors that may predispose to pseudoaneurysm development and can help inform optimal strategies to monitor and evaluate this patient population.