Duct-dependent Pulmonary Circulation Research Articles

Ductal Stenting in Low-Resource Environments.

Duct-dependent pulmonary circulation has traditionally been addressed by the Blalock-Taussig-Thomas shunts (BTTS). Recently, catheter-based alternatives such as ductal stenting have emerged as a particularly advantageous option, especially in resource-constrained settings. This article delves into the nuances of ductal stenting within low-resource environments, highlighting its relative ease of application, reduced morbidity, and cost-effectiveness as key factors in its favor. Comparisons in mortality between the two procedures are however likely to be confounded by selection biases. Ductal stenting appears to be particularly beneficial for palliating older infants and children with cyanotic congenital heart disease and diminished pulmonary blood flow who present late. Additionally, it serves as a valuable tool for left ventricular training in late-presenting transposition with an intact ventricular septum. A meticulous pre-procedure echocardiographic assessment of anatomy plays a pivotal role in planning access and hardware, with additional imaging seldom required for this purpose. The adaptation of adult coronary hardware has significantly enhanced the technical feasibility of ductal stenting. However, challenges such as low birth weight and sepsis specifically impact the performance of ductal stenting and patient recovery in low-resource environments. There is potential for systematic application of quality improvement processes to optimize immediate and long-term outcomes of ductal stenting. There is also a need to prospectively examine the application of ductal stenting in low-resource environments through multi-center registries.

B-13 | Short and Mid-Term Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Arterial Duct Stenting in Duct Dependent Pulmonary Circulation

B-13 | Short and Mid-Term Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Arterial Duct Stenting in Duct Dependent Pulmonary Circulation

Duct Stenting in Duct-Dependent Systemic Blood Flow, Past, Present, and Future.

Arterial duct stenting, pioneered in the early 1990s for newborns with a duct-dependent pulmonary and systemic circulation, has evolved significantly over the past decades. This progressive technique has led to the development of novel therapeutic strategies, including the Hybrid approach introduced three decades ago, and more recently, a complete transcatheter approach for treating newborns with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). Subsequently, the transcatheter method has been extended to bi-ventricular lesions and patients with pulmonary hypertension, establishing a reverse Potts-shunt pathophysiology. Considering current experiences, this review aims to assess the strengths, weaknesses, and complications associated with ductal stenting, which represents a critical component of these complex treatment strategies. Despite advancements, the mortality rate of Norwood and Hybrid stage-1 procedures has plateaued, underscoring the importance of enhancing the quality of life of affected patients as the primary therapeutic goal. The prerequisite is a gentle, almost atraumatic medicine, particularly during the newborn period. It is essential to recognize that both the Hybrid and total transcatheter approaches demand comparable experience to Norwood surgery. Successful outcomes hinge on much more than merely inserting a stent into the duct; they require meticulous attention to detail and comprehensive management strategies.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Ductus Arteriosus Stenting and Systemic-to-Pulmonary Artery Shunt Placement in a Cohort of Newborns with Duct-Dependent Pulmonary Circulation

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Ductus Arteriosus Stenting and Systemic-to-Pulmonary Artery Shunt Placement in a Cohort of Newborns with Duct-Dependent Pulmonary Circulation

Personalized Approach in Transcatheter Palliation of Congenital Heart Disease with Duct-Dependent Pulmonary Circulation: Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Stenting vs. Arterial Duct Stenting.

Despite significant improvements in techniques, the treatment of neonates and infants with congenital heart disease resulting in duct-dependent pulmonary circulation is still significantly challenging. Despite current trends toward early primary surgical repair, temporary palliation is still necessary in those patients who are at high surgical risk for complete correction due to unfavorable clinical or anatomic characteristics. Recent advances in interventional cardiology have led to the emergence of right ventricular outflow tract and arterial duct stenting as cost-effective alternatives to surgical palliation in high-risk surgical candidates or whenever short-term pulmonary blood flow support is anticipated. This review aims to explore the evolving landscape of these transcatheter approaches, highlighting their role, efficacy and potential complications in the context of duct-dependent pulmonary circulation anatomies.

Early and Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of Ductal Stenting Versus Surgical Aortopulmonary Shunt Among Young Infants with Duct-Dependent Pulmonary Circulation.

Surgical aortopulmonary shunting (SAPS) and ductal stenting (DS) are the main palliations in infants with cyanotic congenital heart diseases (CHD). We aimed to study the safety and efficacy of DS and to compare it with SAPS as a palliative procedure in infants with CHD and duct-dependent pulmonary circulation. Retrospective institutional clinical data review of consecutive infants aged < 3months who underwent DS or SAPS over 5years. The primary outcome was procedural success which was defined as event-free survival (mortality, need for re-intervention, procedural failure) at 30days post-procedure. The secondary outcome was defined by a composite of death, major adverse cardiovascular events, or need for re-intervention at 6months and on long-term follow-up. We included 102 infants (DS, n = 53 and SAPS, n = 49). The median age at DS and SAPS was 4days (IQR 2.0-8.5) and 8days (IQR 4.0-39.0), respectively. The median weight at intervention was 3.0kg (IQR 3.0-3.0) and 3.0kg (IQR 2.5-3.0) in the two respective arms. Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia was the most common indication for DS and SAPS. The 30-day mortality was significantly higher in SAPS group as compared with DS group (p < 0.05). However, 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACE) rates were similar in both groups (p = 0.29). DS was associated with shorter duration of mechanical ventilation, duration of stay in the intensive care and hospital stay than with SAPS. At 6months, there was no significant difference in terms of mortality or event-free survival. Long-term MACE-free survival was also comparable (p = 0.13). DS is an effective and safer alternative to SAPS in infants with duct-dependent pulmonary circulation, offering reduced procedure-related mortality and morbidity than SAPS. Careful study of ductal anatomy is crucial to procedural success. However, long-term outcomes are similar in both procedures.

The effectiveness of the flip technique in vertical ductal stenting.

In this study, the flip technique was compared with the classical method in terms of procedural success and procedure time during ductal stent implantation (DSI) via the carotid artery in patients whose pulmonary blood flow is dependent on the vertical type of ductus arteriosus (DA). Between January 2019 and June 2023, 40 patients (24 males, 16 females; mean age: 15.9±15.4 days; range, 1 to 68 days) with vertical ductus-dependent pulmonary circulation who underwent patent DA stent implantation via the carotid artery were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: those who underwent the flip technique (Group 1) and those who did not undergo the flip technique (Group 2). Data were retospectively compiled by reviewing patient files and catheter images. Demographic findings were similar in the groups. The distribution of the DA in terms of tortuosity index was also similar in the groups. The procedure was successful in 18 (90%) patients in Group 1 and 20 (100%) patients in Group 2. There was no procedure-related mortality in both groups. The frequency of procedure-related complications was similar. Procedure duration was 53.6±18.4 min in Group 1 and 41.5±9.1 min in Group 2; the difference was significantly lower in Group 2 (p=0.028). The shorter follow-up in Group 2 was attributed to the flip method starting to be used later in the clinic. During follow-up, stent dilatation was required in two patients in Group 1 and one patient in Group 2, and a second stent implantation was needed in one patient in Group 2. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of reintervention. The success rate of DSI using the carotid artery access is high with both the classical and the flip method in patients with vertical DA. However, the use of the flip technique could be preferred in terms of operator habituation, ergonomic use of the catheter, guidewires, and shorter procedure time.

Ductal stenting vs. surgical shunting in late presenting duct-dependent pulmonary circulation: a single-center experience.

PDA stenting is an option to mBTT shunt for younger patients; nevertheless, few reports of this palliative approach have been made for the late presenter population, especially for patients who are older than 30 days but under 5 years. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical result and intra-hospital costs of ductal stenting in late-presenting patients in comparison to surgical shunting. A single-center, retrospective cohort study was conducted from August 2016 to August 2022. This study included patients with pulmonary duct dependent CHD who were hospitalized for palliative therapy. The extracted data were baseline characteristics, clinical findings, supportive examination findings, complications, outcomes, and length of stay of the patients. Monitoring was carried out during treatment up to 30 days after the procedure. A total of 143 patients were included in the analysis; 43 patients underwent PDA stent and 100 patients underwent mBTT shunt with median age of PDA stent group 110 (31-1,498) days and mBTT shunt group 174.5 (30-1,651) days. Primary outcome composite was not significant in both groups including 30 days mortality [6 (14%) vs. 14 (14%), p = 1.000], reintervention [1 (2.3%) vs. 7 (7%), p = 0.436], and 30 days rehospitalization [0 (0%) vs. 2 (2%), p = 0.319]. Secondary outcome analysis showed shorter ICU length of stay in the PDA stent group [2 (0-16) days vs. 4 (1-63) days, p = 0.002]. PDA stent has an outcome that is non inferior from the mBTT shunt procedure in the composite outcome including 30 days mortality, reintervention, and 30 days rehospitalization but significantly lower in ICU length of stay.

Blalock-Taussig Shunt versus Ductal Stenting as Palliation for Duct-Dependent Pulmonary Circulation.

There is limited data published from outside North America and Europe comparing the outcomes of a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (MBTS) and ductal stenting as the first palliative procedure for infants with duct-dependent pulmonary circulation. This study reports the National Heart Center's, in Muscat, Oman, experience in comparing the outcomes of these 2 interventions. This retrospective study included all infants with duct-dependent pulmonary circulation who received either a MBTS or ductal stenting from 2016-2019. The primary outcomes were death or re-interventions. Secondary outcomes included death, subsequent re-interventions, survival to subsequent surgical intervention, survival to hospital discharge, post-procedural mechanical ventilation and duration of intensive care unit stay. A total of 71 patients were included in the study, 33 (46%) of whom received ductal stenting. The prevalence of the primary outcome (death or re-intervention) in the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) stent group was 54.5% versus 31.6% in the MBTS group but this was not statistically significant (P = 0.06). There was no difference between the 2 groups in terms of time to next surgical intervention (P = 0.233). The PDA stent group had shorter post-procedural, mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit stay durations (P <0.05). Syndromic patients were at higher risk of mortality compared to non-syndromic patients. MBTS and ductal stenting are both acceptable modalities as a palliative intervention for infants with duct-dependant pulmonary circulation. Syndromic patients are at higher risk of mortality. This can be considered an important factor for patient selection.

Stent Strut Dilation in Branch Pulmonary Artery Stenosis Following Stenting of Arterial Duct in Duct-dependent Pulmonary Circulation.

To assess the feasibility and outcome of stent strut dilation after arterial duct stenting with associated branch pulmonary artery (BPA) stenosis. Stenting of arterial duct in infants with duct-dependent pulmonary circulation is technically challenging. The presence of BPA stenosis is a relative contraindication for stent implantation. Infants with duct-dependent pulmonary circulation and associated BPA stenosis were assessed either by transthoracic echocardiogram alone or additional computerized tomography angiogram when required. Following ductal stenting, the stent struts of the stenosed BPA were crossed with an additional 0.014″ coronary guide wire and dilated using coronary balloons (2.0 or 2.5mm in diameter). Seventeen (12 male) patients were considered for the procedure. The median age and weight were 27days (range 2-94) and 2.6kg (range 2.2-5), respectively. Fourteen patients (82.4%) underwent stent strut dilation after arterial duct stenting. Struts to left pulmonary artery was opened in 9 (64.3%) and right pulmonary artery in 5 (35.7%). The mean systemic oxygen saturation increased from 66.23 ± 8.9% at baseline to 86 ± 2.2% immediately after the stent deployment and final saturations after stent strut dilation were 89.29 ± 4.3%. Angiographic pulmonary flow improved in all cases. Stent strut dilation could not be done in 3 patients due to unfavorable anatomy. One patient had acute stent thrombosis and died in the hospital. Two others died during follow-up, during an acute febrile illness and gastroenteritis. All survivors underwent cardiac surgery and were on regular follow-up. Strut dilation of BPA stenosis is feasible to augment pulmonary blood flow, following arterial duct stenting. This procedure may be useful in selected patients with BPA stenosis to have uniform growth of pulmonary arteries.

Efficacy and safety of transcarotid compared to transfemoral approach of patent ductus arteriosus stenting in duct-dependent cyanotic heart disease

BackgroundMinimally invasive transcatheter approaches were usually done for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with duct-dependent pulmonary circulation. There are two ways to establish vascular access, by using transfemoral either femoral vein (FV) or femoral artery (FA) and transcarotid artery (CA) with surgical cutdown approach to access the PDA and then provide good support for the balloon and the stent to be safely deployed. This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of transcarotid with surgical cutdown compared to the transfemoral approach of patent ductus arteriosus stenting in duct-dependent cyanotic heart disease.ResultsOverall procedural complication rates were higher in the FA/FV approach than in the CA approach (51% vs. 30%). The incidence of acute limb ischemia in the FA approach is significantly higher than in the CA approach (P < 0.05). No acute thrombosis/occlusion of the carotid artery was assessed by carotid vascular ultrasound in 2-day series.ConclusionsThe transcarotid approach with surgical cutdown may offer a secure and more efficient means of accessing the PDA, particularly for those emerging from the underside of the aortic arch.

First Experience of Patent Ductus Arteriosus Stenting in Neonate with Pulmonary Atresia and Intact Ventricular Septum in North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract: Stenting of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a minimally invasive catheter-based temporary palliative procedure, and it serves as an alternative to surgical shunt in neonates with duct dependent pulmonary perfusion, such as pulmonary atresia. This presentation aimed to report the first experience of PDA stenting in a neonate with pulmonary atresia in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. We reported a female neonate patient, weighing 3775 grams, referred from primary hospital with suspect congenital heart disease. The patient was born at 40 weeks of gestational age by caesarean section delivery from a primigravid mother aged 23 years with inertia uteri and strangulation of nuchal cord. At birth, she cried immediately and her APGAR score was 6-7. On her first day of life, she looked cyanotic, therefore she was referred to Prof. Dr. R. D. Kandou Hospital. Physical examination showed that she had perioral cyanotic and peripheral cyanotic with SpO2 58%. Chest X-ray showed cardiomegaly. Echocardiography revealed pulmonary atresia with PDA with intact ventricular septum. PDA stenting was done on her second day of admission. After the procedure, she was clinically stable with SpO2 80%, and was treated with intravenous antibiotic, and intravenous heparin and aspirin enterally. On the third day post procedure, she was discharged and no complication was found. PDA stenting in patient with duct-dependent pulmonary circulation appeared to be an alternative to surgery. It provided bridging palliation until the time of definitive surgery. The effectiveness of the procedure was highlighted by the fact that all the patients showed significant improvement in arterial saturation and pulmonary vascular marking. In conclusion, PDA stenting is considered feasible, safe and associated with lower mortality rates and shorter hospital length of stay than systemic-pulmonary surgical shunt procedure. Early detection and timely management are imperative to save the life. Keywords: patent ductus arteriosus stenting; pulmonary atresia

Outcome of patients with tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia.

Tetralogy of Fallot patients with pulmonary atresia (TOFPA) have a largely varying source of pulmonary perfusion with often hypoplastic and even absent central pulmonary arteries. A retrospective single center study was undertaken to assess outcome of these patients regarding type of surgical procedures, long-term mortality, achievement of VSD closure and analysis of postoperative interventions. 76 consecutive patients with TOFPA operated between 01.01.2003 and 31.12.2019 are included in this single center study. Patients with ductus dependent pulmonary circulation underwent primary single stage full correction including VSD closure and right ventricular to pulmonary conduit implantation (RVPAC) or transanular patch reconstruction. Children with hypoplastic pulmonary arteries and MAPCAs without double supply were predominantly treated by unifocalization and RVPAC implantation. The follow up period ranges between 0 and 16,5 years. 31 patients (41%) underwent single stage full correction at a median age of 12 days, 15 patients could be treated by a transanular patch. 30 days mortality rate in this group was 6%. In the remaining 45 patients the VSD could not be closed during their first surgery which was performed at a median age of 89 days. A VSD closure was achieved later in 64% of these patients after median 178 days. 30 days mortality rate after the first surgery was 13% in this group. The estimated 10-year-survival rate after the first surgery is 80,5% ± 4,7% showing no significant difference between the groups with and without MAPCAs (p > 0,999). Median intervention-free interval (surgery and transcatheter intervention) after VSD closure was 1,7 ± 0,5 years [95% CI: 0,7-2,8 years]. A VSD closure could be achieved in 79% of the total cohort. In patients without MAPCAs this was possible at a significant earlier age (p < 0,01). Although patients without MAPCAs predominantly underwent single stage full correction at newborn age, the overall mortality rate and the interval until reintervention after VSD closure did not show significant differences between the two groups with and without MAPCAs. The high rate of proven genetic abnormalities (40%) with non-cardiac malformations did also pay its tribute to impaired life expectancy.

Ductus arteriosus morphology in duct-dependent pulmonary circulation: CT classification and pattern in different ventricular morphology.

The objective was to study the ductus arteriosus morphology in duct-dependent pulmonary circulation and its pattern in different ventricle morphology using CT angiography. From January 2013 to December 2015, patients aged 6 months and below with duct-dependent pulmonary circulation underwent CT angiography to delineate the ductus arteriosus origin, tortuosity, site of insertion, and pulmonary artery anatomy. The ductus arteriosus were classified into type I, IIa, IIb, and III based on its site of origin, either from descending aorta, distal arch, proximal arch, or subclavian artery, respectively. A total of 114 patients and 116 ductus arteriosus (two had bilateral ductus arteriosus) were analysed. Type I, IIa, IIb, and III ductus arteriosus were seen in 13 (11.2 %), 71 (61.2%), 21 (18.1%), and 11 (9.5%), respectively. Tortuous ductus arteriosus was found in 38 (32.7%), which was commonly seen in single ventricular lesions. Ipsilateral and bilateral branch pulmonary artery stenosis was seen in 68 (59.6%) and 6 (5.3%) patients, respectively. The majority of patients with pulmonary atresia intact ventricular septum had type I (54.4%) and non-tortuous ductus arteriosus, while those with single and biventricular lesions had type II ductus arteriosus (84.9% and 89.7%, respectively). Type III ductus arteriosus was more common in biventricular lesions (77.8%). Ductus arteriosus in duct-dependent pulmonary circulation has a diverse morphology with a distinct origin and tortuosity pattern in different types of ventricular morphology. CT may serve as an important tool in case selection and pre-procedural planning for ductal stenting.

Three-dimensional/four-dimensional spatiotemporal image correlation morphology of the ductus arteriosus in fetuses with pulmonary atresia undergoing neonatal ductal stenting.

The value of prenatal identification of morphology of ductus arteriosus in fetuses with congenital heart defects (CHD) with pulmonary atresia and duct-dependent pulmonary circulation (DDPC) in planning neonatal ductal stenting procedure is untested. The aim of the study is to analyze the utility of three-dimensional/four-dimensional (3D/4D) spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) fetal echocardiography in delineating the morphology of ductus arteriosus in fetuses with DDPC undergoing neonatal ductal stenting. In this retrospective study (2017-22), prenatal imaging of pulmonary artery (PA) anatomy, aortic arch sidedness, and morphology of ductus arteriosus (ductal origin was classified as vertical/horizontal and ductal course as tortuous/straight) was done using 3D/4D STIC imaging and volume datasets. Prenatal findings were correlated with angiographic findings during stenting and the degree of agreement was calculated. We included 27 fetuses with a prenatal diagnosis of CHD with DDPC who underwent neonatal ductal stenting. The accuracy of prenatal assessment of PA anatomy, branch PA stenosis, and arch sidedness was 100%, 92.6%, and 88.9%, respectively. The accuracy of prenatal assessment of ductal origin and course, compared with angiography, was 85.2% and 88.9%, respectively. Prenatal imaging had a diagnostic accuracy of 100% for vertical straight and horizontal tortuous ducts, 84.6% for vertical tortuous, and 67% for horizontal straight ducts. Duct stenting was successful in 25 (92.6%) babies; two died after the procedure from stent occlusion. Fetal echocardiography using 3D/4D STIC imaging enables accurate delineation of the morphology of ductus arteriosus in fetuses with DDPC, thereby aiding parental counseling and planning neonatal ductal stenting.

Stenting of high-tortuous ducts in duct-dependent pulmonary circulation: essential points to consider before deciding on stenting.

Despite the advancements in the technique of duct stenting (DS) in patients with duct-dependent pulmonary circulation (DDPC) and the valuable role of DS in preventing the risk of surgical creation of shunts and early repair, not all ducts are amenable to being stented, and not all interventions with DS are safe and can achieve positive outcomes. Very few studies focusing on tortuous ducts have been conducted until now. Their results showed that stenting of highly tortuous ducts has the same risk as surgical options. This type of stenting has greater possibility of complications, early in-stent thrombosis, and stent failure than do other duct types. In such cases, the surgical options could be superior to DS and have better outcomes. This report aims to review the very scarce available data about stenting of high-tortuous ducts and criticisms of performing DS in ducts associated with pulmonary stenosis and to highlight the essential points that must be considered before deciding on intervention.

Ductus arteriosus banding to regulate excessive pulmonary blood flow in a neonate with necrotizing enterocolitis and complex congenital heart disease, including pulmonary atresia and total anomalous pulmonary venous return: a case report

BackgroundPatients with right isomerism have accompanying complex congenital heart disease, which is characterized by pulmonary atresia and total anomalous pulmonary venous return. Balanced regulation of the systemic and pulmonary circulation is essential for successful management, especially for cases complicated with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).Case presentationA 6-day-old male neonate with a single ventricle, pulmonary atresia, patent ductus arteriosus (DA), and total anomalous pulmonary venous return associated with right isomerism was admitted because of dyspnea, cyanosis, and melena. The patient presented circulatory incompetence due to excessive pulmonary blood flow, resulting in NEC. The patient underwent DA banding and colectomy following continuous intravenous infusion of prostaglandin E1 at six days. Subsequently, his condition improved, reaching a systemic oxygen saturation of around 80%. He underwent a bidirectional Glenn procedure and closure of colectomy at the ages of 5 and 6 months, respectively.ConclusionDA banding can be an alternative to placing an aortopulmonary shunt, which is conventional in patients with ductus-dependent pulmonary circulation, because DA banding is feasible without cardiopulmonary bypass.

Stenting of Ductus Arteriosus for Duct-Dependent Pulmonary Circulation: An Emergency and Life Saving Procedure

BACKGROUND: Critical congenital heart defect with ductal-dependent pulmonary flow presents as a life-threatening condition. The patency of ductus arteriosus is required to supply blood flow into the lung. Stent implantation into ductus arteriosus has been proposed as non-surgical management for critical congenital heart disease with duct-dependent. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present full-term newborns who had critical congenital heart disease with ductal-dependent pulmonary blood blow and successfully managed with ductal stenting. Patient A, a 13-days-old male newborn had Tetralogy of Fallot-Pulmonary Atresia, restrictive Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Patient B, a 5-days-old female newborn had Tricuspid Atresia, restrictive VSD, PDA, and multiple congenital anomaly. Patient C, a 2-days-old female newborn had PA-IVS, PDA with stretched Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO). Prostaglandin-E1 infusion was started at first and stopped 6 hours prior to the procedure. All patients underwent ductus arteriosus stenting via femoral artery approach with drug-eluting stent. Pulmonary vascular markings were increased and oxygen saturations were improved in all of the patient. 5-month follow up, patients were in stable condition and prepared for surgical correction. DISCUSSION: Ductal stenting in patient with duct-dependent pulmonary circulation appears to be an alternative to surgery. It provides bridging palliation until the time of definitive surgery. The effectiveness of the procedure was highlighted by the fact that all the patients showed a significant improvement in arterial saturation and pulmonary vascular marking. CONCLUSION: Stenting of ductus arteriosus is feasible and safe with great result. Early detection and timely management are imperative to save the life. KEYWORDS: critical congenital heart defect, ductus arteriosus, ductal stenting, ductal-dependent pulmonary blood flow

A Better Way for Ductal Stenting in Patients with Duct-Dependent Pulmonary Flow and Vertical and Tortuous Patent Ductus Arteriosus.

In this study, we aimed to compare the femoral route and the carotid artery route in terms of procedural success of ductal stent implantation in patients with ductdependent pulmonary blood flow. The study included 51 patients with duct-dependent pulmonary circulation who underwent ductal stent implantation upon their admission to our clinic between July 2017 and March 2021. In total, 23 patients (group I) underwent ductal stent implantation via the femoral route, while the remaining 28 (group II) underwent the procedure via the carotid artery. The groups were compared in terms of procedural success, time, post-procedural blood pH, lactate levels, and complications. Duct morphology was observed in group 1 as follows: type 1 in 12 patients, type 3 in 8, type 2 in 2, and type 6 in 1 patient. In group 2, 26 patients had type 3, 1 had type 2, and 1 had type 6. The tortuosity index of the patients in group 1 was 1 in 8 patients, 2 in 8 patients, and 3 in 7 patients, while in group 2, it was 1 in 5 patients, 2 in 15 patients, and 3 in 8 patients. The success rate was 69.6% (16/26) in group I and 93.5% (29/31) in group II (P=.030). The cumulative success rate was 88.2% (45/51). The procedural durations were 78.2 ± 34.1 and 52.1 ± 22.0 minutes in group I and group II, respectively (P=.002). The mean blood pH values upon the completion of the procedure were 7.26 ± 0.1 and 7.33 ± 0.0 in group I and group II, respectively (P=.038). The mean post-procedural lactate levels were 2.8 mmol/L and 2.3 mmol/L in group I and group II, respectively (P=.038). The 2 groups did not show any differences in terms of procedural complications. The carotid artery route can be preferred, especially in vertical and tortuous ductus arteriosus, as it is associated with a high success rate and a short procedural time, as well as a better metabolic condition after the procedure.

Stenting of the Patent Ductus Arteriosus: A Meta-analysis and Literature Review

<h2>Abstract</h2><h3>Background</h3> Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) stent placement and systemic-pulmonary surgical shunt procedure can both be performed as palliation for infants with duct-dependent pulmonary circulation. The aim of this meta-analysis and literature review was to compare outcomes and study populations between the 2 methods as well as review the technical considerations and complications of PDA stenting. <h3>Methods</h3> A systematic search was conducted using the PubMed database and meta-analysis was performed. Risk ratio and mean difference were used to compare the reported outcomes of studies across patients receiving PDA stent and surgical shunt. <h3>Results</h3> In total, 1094 patients from 8 comparative observational studies were included. The PDA stent group had a lower mortality rate and a shorter hospital length of stay than the systemic-pulmonary surgical shunt group, although at the expense of increased reintervention rates. There were higher proportions of patients with single-ventricle physiology and single-source pulmonary blood flow in the surgical shunt group. <h3>Conclusions</h3> PDA stenting appears to be a noninferior or possibly superior method of palliation for duct-dependent pulmonary circulation compared with systemic-pulmonary surgical shunt, recognizing, however, that patients receiving surgical shunt more often had single-ventricle physiology or single-source pulmonary blood flow in this meta-analysis.