Abstracts for the British Congenital Cardiac Association Annual Meeting: The Barbican, London, 24–25 November 2005: Poster Presentations: Transcatheter closure of ventricle-pulmonary artery communications after cavopulmonary shunt or Fontan procedure

Abstract

Background: Ventricle-pulmonary artery connections are rare in patients after the Fontan procedure. However, these can cause significant long term problems. Hence the catheter occlusion of the anterograde flow in these patients would be beneficial. Further, in patients with a cavopulmonary shunt anterograde pulmonary blood flow is frequently maintained, but, in some patients, can cause significant volume loading of the heart or can complicate the subsequent Fontan procedure. Objective: To evaluate the use of interventional catheter closure of a ventricle-pulmonary artery communication in the setting of a cavopulmonary shunt or after the Fontan procedure. Patients and methods:This was a retrospective study at a tertiary referral centre. Eight patients (Age: 1.5–18 years, mean 7.8 years) underwent transcatheter closure of a ventricle-pulmonary artery communication. Indications were cardiac failure or persistent pleural effusions after cavopulmonary shunt (n = 2) or after Fontan (n = 3) and abolishing the volume load of the single ventricle prior to Fontan completion (n = 3). Results: Devices used were 17 mm Rashkind Umbrella device (n = 1), Amplatzer PDA device (n = 7) and Amplatzer ASD device (n = 1). One patient required two devices. There were no procedural complications. All 3 patients with prolonged pleural effusions (1 post CP shunt and 2 post Fontan) showed complete resolution of effusions between 4 and 10 days after catheter closure. Two patients underwent transcatheter occlusion for progressive ventricular dilatation and cardiac failure. The first patient was post Fontan and showed gradual improvement in ventricular function. The second patient after CP shunt died 48 hours post intervention (non procedure related cardiac death). Three patients underwent catheter closure to off-load the systemic ventricle prior to the Fontan procedure. The device had to be removed prior to release in 1 patient, due to unsatisfactory position. All 3 patients underwent successful completion of Fontan 6 weeks to 3 months post catheter. Conclusions: Transcatheter closure of ventricle-pulmonary artery communication is a safe and effective technique in the treatment of selected patients after CP shunt or Fontan procedure with early or late complications due to inappropriate pulmonary blood flow. This intervention should also be considered prior to the Fontan procedure in selected patients with ventricular overload.