Definitions
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (ECMO), atrioventricular (AV) block requiring permanent pacemaker implantation, diaphragm paralysis, neurological complication (persistent at discharge), acute renal failure (ARF) (requiring temporary or permanent dialysis), and unplanned reoperation were considered major adverse events (MAEs) (11,12). Complications other than MAEs were defined as pulmonary complications, arrhythmia, infection (except for superficial wound infection), wound infections, recurrent nerve paralysis and delayed sternal closure.
Aortic arch Z-scores of -2 or lower indicated hypoplasia of the arch, independent of the size of other aortic parts. Catheter-base balloon angioplasty was defined as a reintervention. Surgical mortality was defined as mortality within the first 30 days postoperatively.