Closure of extracardiac Fontan fenestration by using the covered Cheatham Platinum stent.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to describe our experience concerning the use of covered Cheatham Platinum (CP) stent in patients with fenestrated total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC).


BACKGROUND
Closure of TCPC fenestrations has been achieved by utilizing different devices designed to close intra-cardiac or aorto-pulmonary communications.


METHODS
We used the covered CP stent in 6 patients with fenestrated TCPC. Median age and weight were 11 years and 38 Kg, respectively. Femoral approach was used in all but 1 patient having bilateral thrombosis of femoral veins. The CP stent was crimped on a BiB balloon in 5 patients and on a simple balloon in 1 patient. The balloon's diameter was the same size or 1-2 mm larger than the TCPT conduit, according to angiographic diameter.


RESULTS
Mean procedural and fluoroscopy time were 41 +/- 8 and 8 +/- 2 min, respectively. Immediate full occlusion of fenestration was obtained in all patients. Mean central venous pressure was not significantly increased from 10.8 +/- 2.5 to 11.8 +/- 2.8 mm Hg and oxygen saturation significantly increased from (91.5 +/- 4.4)% to (98.5 +/- 1.9)% (P = 0.003). No procedural or intra-hospital complications occurred. In particular, no arrhythmias, systemic embolism, or acute venous thrombosis were observed. At a median follow-up of 2.8 months all patients have normal oxygen saturation and are symptom-free.


CONCLUSIONS
The covered CP stent can be easily and effectively used for closure of TCPC fenestrations. This method has the advantage to avoid protrusion of prosthetic material into the left atrium and to prevent early or late embolism.
Marini
D
D
Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France.
Boudjemline
Y
Y
Agnoletti
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D021721:Balloon Occlusion / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002648:Child; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018729:Fontan Procedure; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010984:Platinum; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D015607:Stents; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010984:Platinum