Abstract
PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the outcomes of maintaining antegrade pulmonary blood flow (APBF) during the bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt (BCPS) procedure in patients with single ventricle physiology undergoing staged palliative surgeries. METHODS: A systematic search of electronic databases was conducted and focused on studies comparing pulsatile BCPS (with APBF) with non-pulsatile BCPS (without APBF). Outcomes were categorized into early (post-BCPS) and late (pre-Fontan). Data were analyzed using Mantel-Haenszel random effects model with odds ratios (ORs) and mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The study protocol was registered in the PROSPERO (CRD42024586369). RESULTS: A total of 17 studies with 2504 patients were included. There was no significant difference in 30-day mortality (OR 1.11, 95% CI: 0.61-2.04, p = 0.73), but pulsatile BCPS led to a higher rate of prolonged chest drainage (OR 2.45, 95% CI: 1.43-4.20, p <0.001). Pulsatile BCPS resulted in significantly higher SaO(2) in both post-BCPS (MD 3.33%, 95% CI: 2.70-3.97, p <0.001) and pre-Fontan (MD 2.91%, 95% CI: 2.51-3.31, p <0.001). The Nakata index was also higher in the pulsatile group (MD 30.67, 95% CI: 16.68-44.65, p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Pulsatile BCPS can optimize pre-Fontan hemodynamics by improving oxygenation and pulmonary artery development. However, the increased risk of prolonged chest drainage requires careful patient selection and monitoring.