Percutaneous Stage 1 Palliation for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.

Surgical palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome still carries significant morbidity and mortality in neonates. We previously described a percutaneous stage 1 palliation (PS1P) in a swine experiment. Here we report the human application of the PS1P for hypoplastic left heart syndrome in the United States. The procedure is performed through a 4F sheath in the femoral vein. Bilateral pulmonary flow restrictors are implanted in the proximal branch pulmonary arteries and a stent within the ductus arteriosus. PS1P could postpone surgical repair beyond the neonatal period. It offers a simple, less invasive alternative to currently available operations for newborns with HLHS.