Balloon angioplasty and stent implantation performed through systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunts in infants and neonates.

Branch pulmonary artery stenosis (BPAS) in the setting of systemic-pulmonary artery shunts (SPS) may result in significant sequelae. Limited information exists regarding the safety and efficacy of pulmonary artery balloon angioplasty and stent implantation via SPS in neonates and infants. This study aimed to examine the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of balloon angioplasty/stent implantation for BPAS performed via SPS in neonates and infants. A single-center retrospective analysis of all patients weighing 10 kg or less who underwent angioplasty for BPAS via SPS was performed. Systemic oxygen saturations and vessel diameter before, during, and after the procedure were compared. Between July 1996 and February 2008, 15 patients underwent 20 catheterizations for the treatment of 27 BPAS via SPS. The patients had a mean weight of 5.6 kg (range, 2.6-10 kg) and a mean age of 7.6 months (range, 7 days to 33 months). The SPS diameter ranged between 2 and 5 mm (median, 3.5 mm). Angioplasty was performed for all 27 lesions, and an additional stent was placed in 5 of these. The average lesion diameter increased from 2.3 ± 1.5 to 4.7 ± 1.7 mm (p < 0.05), and 25 (93 %) of the 27 lesions met the predetermined criteria for success. Systemic oxygen saturation increased from 73 ± 9.5 % to 82 ± 6.8 % immediately after intervention and was 83 ± 7.9 % at discharge (p < 0.05). There were no instances of shunt thrombosis. Two patients experienced transient hypotension during the procedure. No procedural deaths occurred. The study findings suggest that balloon angioplasty or stent implantation performed via SPS appears to be safe and effective treatment for BPAS in neonates and infants.

The use of three-dimensional rotational angiography to assess the pulmonary circulation following cavo-pulmonary connection in patients with single ventricle.

BACKGROUND: Bi-plane angiography is the gold standard for imaging the pulmonary arteries (PAs) after cavo-pulmonary connection (CPC). Three-dimensional rotational angiography (3DRA) is emerging technology that we hypothesized may enhance diagnostic capabilities in this patient group. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients who underwent 3DRA to assess the PAs after CPC. 3DRA images were examined for diagnostic quality and compared, both qualitatively and quantitatively with corresponding 2D images. RESULTS: Between 1/2010 and 12/2010, 37 3DRAs were obtained in 32 pts with prior CPC. Median age and weight were 4.3 years (0.3-19) and 15.7 kg (4.3-114). Previous surgery included: bi-directional Glenn (16), bilateral bi-directional Glenn (2), and Fontan (14). Thirty-three (89%) acquisitions in 28 pts were of diagnostic quality. In 19/28 pts (68%) 3DRA provided significant additional information pertaining to 22 lesions when compared with bi-plane angiography. These included delineating the mechanism of PA stenosis in 13 (aortic compression: 7, PA torsion: 6), demonstrating a discrete PA stenosis not seen or under appreciated on corresponding 2D images in 9. This additional information led to the performance of 9 interventions (stent implantation 8, angioplasty 1). Corresponding 2D and 3DRA images of the right and left PA were compared using quantitative analysis with a correlation coefficient of 0.94 (P < 0.001) and 0.97 (P < 0.001), for the right and left PAs respectively. CONCLUSIONS: 3DRA can be performed safely and effectively following CPC and may be more sensitive in diagnosing PA stenoses than 2D angiography. Quantitative measurements of PA diameter using 3DRA correlates well with 2D angiography.