Bidirectional Glenn with Existing Transvenous Cardioverter-Defibrillator Leads

Abstract

The population of patients with adult congenital heart disease is increasing. A significant number of these patients already have or will require placement of either a transvenous pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator. In addition to this, some with right ventricular dysfunction might benefit from volume unloading of the right ventricle by the construction of a superior cavopulmonary anastomosis. The usual technique for the bidirectional Glenn anastomosis precludes the presence of upper extremity transvenous hardware. We present a modified technique for the superior cavopulmonary anastomosis when pacing or cardioverter defibrillator leads are present.