Aortic root thrombosis with coronary embolization following neo-aortic reconstruction in a child with hypoplastic left heart syndrome

In the recent era, the diagnosis, treatment options, postoperative management and outcomes of infants born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) have undergone dramatic changes. As is the case with many other novel treatment modalities used for congenital heart diseases, data concerning the long-term outcomes and complications of the various strategies become gradually more available as the numbers of survivors grow. In general, complications of the three-stage surgical palliation used for HLHS tend to occur most commonly following the first-stage surgery. Post-stage 2 complications are substantially less common, and centre on the procedure itself and the unique physiology of the cavopulmonary connection. In the following case report, we describe a relatively rare adverse outcome that occurred following a stage 2 surgery in the form of native aortic root thrombosis extending to the coronary arteries. The selected methods of treatment used in the catheterization laboratory and later in the operating theatre, as well as its outcomes are described.