Creation with a stent of an unrestrictive lasting atrial communication.
A new technique is presented to create percutaneously an unrestrictive and lasting atrial communication in small children. In 2 infants, a stent was deployed in a restrictive atrial communication and first inflated with an 8 mm balloon. The stent was then further expanded up to 10 or 12 mm. The gradient and turbulent flow between the two atriums disappeared completely. The stent retained a very stable position without embolisation. Other complications, such as formation of thrombus or arrhythmia, were not observed until elective explantation after 2 and 11 months. We conclude that, in infants, dilation of the atrial septum with a stent can provide a safe, lasting, and unrestrictive atrial communication.
Gewillig
Marc
M
University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium. marc.gewillig@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
Boshoff
Derize
D
Mertens
Luc
L
D002404:Catheterization; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome