Arterial duct stenting: Do we still need surgical shunt in congenital heart malformations with duct-dependent pulmonary circulation?
BACKGROUND
Despite current trends toward primary repair, surgical systemic-to-pulmonary shunt is still an invaluable palliative option in some patients with congenital heart defects and duct-dependent pulmonary circulation. However, arterial duct stabilization with a high-flexibility coronary stent could be an effective alternative in high-risk surgical candidates or whenever short-term pulmonary blood flow support is anticipated.


RESULTS
On the basis of ductal origin and morphology, the stenting procedure can be performed from an arterial or venous route. Following arterial duct angiographic imaging, the stabilizing stent is chosen to completely cover the entire ductal length and dilated slightly less than the proposed surgical shunt. Procedural failure depends mainly on ductal tortuosity and ranges around 10% of cases. Morbidity and mortality are 8-11% and less than 1%, respectively. Mid-term fate of the stented duct is spontaneous, slow and progressive closure within a few months. Compared with a Blalock-Taussig shunt, stented ducts result in similar but more uniform pulmonary artery growth over a mid-term follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Arterial duct stenting is a technically feasible, well tolerated and effective palliation in congenital heart disease with duct-dependent pulmonary circulation. It is advisable either in high-risk neonates or whenever a short-term pulmonary blood flow support is anticipated. The stented duct appears less durable than a conventional surgical shunt although it is highly effective in promoting a global and uniform pulmonary artery growth.
Santoro
Giuseppe
G
Division of Cardiology, 2nd University of Naples, 'Monaldi' Hospital, Naples, Italy. santoropino@tin.it
Gaio
Gianpiero
G
Palladino
Maria Teresa
MT
Castaldi
Biagio
B
Iacono
Carola
C
Esposito
Raffaella
R
Capozzi
Giovanbattista
G
Rea
Alessandra
A
Russo
Maria Giovanna
MG
Calabrò
Raffaele
R
D058366:Blalock-Taussig Procedure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000401:mortality; D002404:Catheterization; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care; D018579:Patient Selection; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome