OBJECTIVE: The accomplishment of Jatene’s operation needs a tertiary hospital with specialized team in pediatric cardiology to obtain a good result. We examined the immediate results of 176 consecutive arterial switch during last 15 years.

METHODS: Between December 1993 and December 2008, 173 children with transposition of great arteries (TGA) were submitted to Jatene operation; 114 (65%) were simple TGA and 59 (34,1%) were TGA with ventricular septal defect; 5 (2,8%) had association with coarctation of aorta. The current arterial switch is made with maneuver of LeCompte and initial anastomoses of the neoaorta and posterior implants of the coronary arteries. The restoration of the neopulmonary is accomplished with fresh autograft pericardium. Bypass is accomplished with hypothermia to 25° C and normoflow and myocardium protection with blood cardioplegic solution and modified ultrafiltration. We divided the pacients following a chronological order: Group A (57 children), B (58 children) and C (58 children) and we evaluated the surgical mortality.

RESULTS: The surgical mortality was: Group A mortality = 36,8%; Group B mortality = 34,4%; Group C mortality = 8,6%. There was statistical difference among the groups C and B and also C and A. In Group C the mortality with standard risk profile to coronary pattern was 3,7% and with high risk was 75% (right coronary with looping and intramural).

CONCLUSION: After 173 consecutives arterial switch was possible the improvement in the surgical result. The translocation of right coronary with looping still presents high risk.