Pulmonary artery banding: a simple procedure? A critical analysis at a tertiary center.

OBJECTIVE: Although pulmonary artery banding (PAB) seems to be a technically simple procedure it presents several peculiarities and is related to a significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to analyze the experience of a tertiary hospital on the PAB by assessing and correlating many aspects related to the procedure. METHODS: Between January 2000 and December 2008, 61 patients undergone PAB due to congenital heart disease with increased pulmonary blood flow at Messejana Heart Hospital were assessed as for mortality, complications, stay in mechanical ventilation and need for intensive care unit (ICU), use of vasoactive drugs, difficulties in the adjustment on the banding and reoperations. Some statistical analyzes were performed to compare the subgroups. RESULTS: In 46.8% of the patients the intended pressoric adjustment was not achieved and in 6.5% it was necessary another surgery to readjust the banding. The mean time of mechanical ventilation was 14.1+/-49.6 days and ICU 14.16+/-10.92 days. In 82.6% of the patients vasoactives drugs were administrated for 10.3+/-12.79 days. Severe complications were noted in 49.15% of patients and cardiac insufficiency was the most common one with an incidence of 44%. The mortality rate was 8.2% and it was not influenced by weight or associated procedures with the PAB neither if univentricular or biventricular heart disease. CONCLUSION: The PAB can be performed with acceptable mortality rates compatible with the ones of the world literature. Nevertheless, the adjustment of the banding is difficult to be assessed during the surgery by making the procedure complex and justifying the high incidence of complications and long stay in ICU. It wasn't found any specific risk factor significant to mortality neither uni- or biventricular heart disease.

Bandagem da artéria pulmonar: uma cirurgia simples? Uma análise crítica em um centro terciário / Pulmonary artery banding: a simple procedure? A critical analysis at a tertiary center

OBJETIVO: A bandagem da artéria pulmonar (BAP) é um procedimento tecnicamente simples, mas envolto em várias peculiaridades que o fazem apresentar elevadas taxas de morbidade e mortalidade. O objetivo deste estudo é analisar a experiência de um hospital de referência na bandagem da artéria pulmonar, avaliando e correlacionando diversas variáveis relacionadas ao procedimento. MÉTODOS: Entre janeiro de 2000 e dezembro de 2008, 61 pacientes submetidos a BAP por cardiopatia congênita de hiperfluxo no Hospital do Coração de Messejana-Fortaleza/CE foram avaliados quanto a mortalidade, complicações, permanência em ventilação mecânica (VM) e terapia intensiva (UTI), uso de drogas vasoativas, dificuldade de ajustes transoperatórios e reoperações para reajuste. Análise estatística foi realizada para comparações entre subgrupos. RESULTADOS: Em 46,8 por cento dos pacientes, não se conseguiu o ajuste pressórico pretendido e 6,5 por cento precisaram ser reoperados para reajustes. O tempo médio UTI e VM foi 14,16 ± 10,92 dias e 14,1 ± 49,6 dias, respectivamente. Em 82,6 por cento dos pacientes foram administradas drogas vasoativas por 10,30 ± 12,79 dias. Complicações graves incidiram em 49,15 por cento dos pacientes, com predominância da insuficiência cardíaca (44 por cento). A taxa de mortalidade foi de 8,2 por cento, não influenciada por peso, procedimentos associados ou cardiopatia univentricular ou biventricular. CONCLUSÃO: Neste estudo, a BAP foi realizada com taxas de mortalidade aceitáveis, compatíveis com a literatura mundial. No entanto, os ajustes transoperatórios são de difícil análise, tornando o procedimento complexo e justificando elevados índices de complicações, resultando em longa permanência em UTI. Nenhuma variável isolada representou significante fator de risco, dentre as quais, fisiologia uni ou biventricular

OBJECTIVE: Although pulmonary artery banding (PAB) seems to be a technically simple procedure it presents several peculiarities and is related to a significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to analyze the experience of a tertiary hospital on the PAB by assessing and correlating many aspects related to the procedure. METHODS: Between January 2000 and December 2008, 61 patients undergone PAB due to congenital heart disease with increased pulmonary blood flow at Messejana Heart Hospital were assessed as for mortality, complications, stay in mechanical ventilation and need for intensive care unit (ICU), use of vasoactive drugs, difficulties in the adjustment on the banding and reoperations. Some statistical analyzes were performed to compare the subgroups. RESULTS: In 46.8 percent of the patients the intended pressoric adjustment was not achieved and in 6.5 percent it was necessary another surgery to readjust the banding. The mean time of mechanical ventilation was 14.1±49.6 days and ICU 14.16±10.92 days. In 82.6 percent of the patients vasoactives drugs were administrated for 10.3±12.79 days. Severe complications were noted in 49.15 percent of patients and cardiac insufficiency was the most common one with an incidence of 44 percent. The mortality rate was 8.2 percent and it was not influenced by weight or associated procedures with the PAB neither if univentricular or biventricular heart disease. CONCLUSION: The PAB can be performed with acceptable mortality rates compatible with the ones of the world literature. Nevertheless, the adjustment of the banding is difficult to be assessed during the surgery by making the procedure complex and justifying the high incidence of complications and long stay in ICU. It wasn't found any specific risk factor significant to mortality neither uni- or biventricular heart disease