Transcatheter stenting of the ductus arteriosus: evaluation as an alternative to surgical shunts.

Implantation of 3.5 mm Gianturco-Roubin coronary artery stents into the ductus arteriosus was evaluated as an alternative to surgical systemic to pulmonary arterial shunts in 3 weanling piglets. Thrombosis of the ductus occurred in all 3 animals (95% confidence limits 29-100%) within 1 hour, despite pretreatment with heparin. In each case, thrombus filled the ductus arteriosus but did not extend to any extraductal portion of the stents. Rapid, heparin-resistant thrombus formation precludes use of this stent procedure as an alternative to surgical shunts.