Early complications of stenting in patients with congenital heart disease: a multicentre study.
OBJECTIVE
Stenting has become an established interventional cardiology procedure for congenital heart disease. Although most stent procedures are completed successfully, complications may occur. This multicentre study evaluated early complications after stenting in patients with congenital heart disease, including potential risk factors.


RESULTS
In this combined Dutch-Belgian retrospective study, 309 consecutive patients had undergone 366 catheterizations and received 464 stents in 13 different anatomical positions (418 sites). Seventy-two stenting-related complications (19%) occurred, of which 24 (5.7%) were major. Seven procedure-related deaths were documented (2.3%). Stent malpositioning and embolization were most common (7.7%). The use of non-premounted stents tended to be associated with higher complication rates. Centre inexperience with stenting and stenting of native vs. post-surgical stenosis tended to be associated with increased major complication rates.


CONCLUSIONS
After stenting, complications are common for congenital heart disease. The vast diversity of stenotic sites combined with relatively small patient populations makes these procedures sensitive to complications. Combining operator experience may reduce the risks of stenting in congenital heart disease. The availability of premounted stents for greater vessel diameters will likely reduce incidences of stent migration and embolization.
van Gameren
Menno
M
Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Dr. Molewaterplein 60, 3015 GJ Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Witsenburg
Maarten
M
Takkenberg
Johanna J M
JJ
Boshoff
Derize
D
Mertens
Luc
L
van Oort
Anton M
AM
de Wolf
Daniël
D
Freund
Matthias
M
Sreeram
Narayanswani
N
Bökenkamp
Regina
R
Talsma
Melle D
MD
Gewillig
Marc
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects*