Stenting of the ductus arteriosus in infants with functionally univentricular heart disease and ductal-dependent pulmonary blood flow: A single-center experience.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the short- and medium-term outcomes of ductal stenting (DS) in patients with functionally univentricular hearts (FUHs) and ductal-dependent pulmonary blood flow.

BACKGROUND

Several studies have evaluated the outcomes of DS in a limited number of patients with FUHs. Nonetheless, there is still no consensus regarding the indications for this procedure, and no appropriate patient selection criteria have been devised.

METHODS

From 2005 to 2015, cardiac catheterization for DS was performed in 68 patients with FUHs. Of these patients, 49 had single source pulmonary blood flow from ductus arteriosus. Procedural and follow-up data were evaluated.

RESULTS

The median weight of the patients was 3.6 kg (2.3-6.8 kg), and the median age was 26 days (3 days-8 months). The technical success rate of the procedure was 95% (65 of 68 patients). Mean oxygen saturation increased from 70% ± 7.6% to 87% ± 4.6% (P < 0.0001). Among patients in whom DS was successful, 55 (84.6%) were bridged to a Glenn procedure after a median of 9.1 months (6.4-14 months), and 41 (63%) were successfully bridged to a Glenn procedure without additional interventions. Of the 16 patients with preexisting mild pulmonary artery stenosis, five required a surgical shunt due to progressive branch pulmonary artery stenosis, while nine were bridged to a Glenn operation without shunt placement. Five (7.3%) patients died, including patients who were sent to surgery.

CONCLUSION

DS is a reasonable and effective alternative to surgical shunt placement as a first-stage palliative procedure in patients with FUHs. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.