Pulmonary Artery Bifurcation Stenosis Research Articles

Simultaneous stent implantation for pulmonary artery bifurcation stenosis in infants.

Pulmonary artery (PA) bifurcation stenosis often requires simultaneous stent placement, which may be technically challenging. Limited data exist regarding this practice in infants. We aim to report the procedural outcomes and safety of bifurcation stent placement in infants. We performed a single-center retrospective review of infants younger than 12 months who underwent simultaneous stent placement for PA bifurcation stenosis from January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2019. Seventeen infants underwent simultaneous PA bifurcation stent placement. The median age was 6.4 months (1.1-10.1 months), and weight was 5.8 kg (3-10.6 kg). Nine (52.9%) patients had had prior PA intervention. Most stents were placed in central PAs (28, 82.4%), followed by lobar branches (6, 17.6%). All patients received pre-mounted stents. The peak gradient across each branch decreased from 47.4 ± 16 to 18.7 ± 13 mm Hg (P less than .0001). The right ventricle to systemic systolic pressure ratio decreased from systemic (1.0 ± 0.3) to just over half systemic (0.58 ± 0.2) (P = .0001). The minimum vessel diameter increased from 3.6 ± 1.5 to 6.0 ± 1.9 mm (P less than .0001). There were 4 (23.5%) patients with high severity adverse events. There were no procedure-related deaths. The median follow-up period was 83.8 months (5.3 months-19.4 years). All patients had subsequent PA re-intervention at a median time of 8.1 months (2.9 months-8.8 years), and median time to re-operation was 19.1 months (2.9 months-7.5 years). Simultaneous PA stent placement is an effective strategy for relief of bifurcation stenosis in infants. Future transcatheter interventions are necessary to account for patient growth, but may delay the need for re-operation.

Ductus Arteriosus Stenting in Neonates with Pulmonary Valve Atresia: Outcomes and Considerations

Background: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) stenting was invented particularly for congenital heart diseases with ductal-dependent pulmonary blood flow, and newer techniques are constantly being introduced. Objectives: In this study, we investigate the one-year results of this procedure and describe some of our periprocedural considerations. Methods: The neonates with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect (VSD) who underwent PDA stenting in our center from February 2016 to December 2019 were included in this retrospective study. Spo2 and McGoon ratios were recorded before and a year after stenting and compared to each other. Results: In 26 neonates, PDA stenting was performed; 20 procedures (77%) were successful, and six procedures (23%) were unsuccessful. Two of these unsuccessful cases died during the procedure, and two of them died as a result of neonatal sepsis following the procedure. A total of 18 PDAs (70%) were accessed via the axillary artery, 6 (23%) via the femoral artery, and 2 (7%) via the antegrade inferior vena cava route. The comparison between the results before and one year after stenting revealed the increase of O2 saturation from 53.78 ± 7.35 to 84.33 ± 6.5 (P-value = 0.032) and McGoon ratio from 1.16 ± 0.25 to 1.65 ± 0.34 (P-value = 0.041). Additionally, we discussed some technical considerations of PDA stenting, including the access point, management of pulmonary artery bifurcation stenosis, stent diameter, stenting of long and tortuous PDAs, thrombosis, and anticoagulation. Conclusions: Ductal stenting increases SpO2 and McGoon ratio and could be a less-invasive option for securing pulmonary blood circulation. However, further studies are required to advance PDA stenting techniques for specific anatomical features.

Effect and prognosis of new type of re-dilated stent in the treatment of pulmonary artery bifurcation stenosis

the early and med-term follow-up results and technical points of new re-dilated stent in the treatment of pulmonary artery bifurcation opening stenosis, and explore its feasibility and advantages. From March 2019 to October 2020, 10 children [5 males, mean age (7±3) years], mean weight 18.75(13.35,23.05) kg with pulmonary artery bifurcation opening stenosis were treated with new re-dilated stents in the Central China Fuwai Hospital. Including 5 cases of tetralogy of Fallot, 4 cases of pulmonary atresia, 1 case of anomalous origin of coronary artery, all children were given new re-dilated stent implantation. Echocardiography, chest X-ray and electrocardiogram were performed 1 day, 3, 6, 12 months after intervention. Pulmonary artery CTA was performed after 6 or 12 months to evaluate the results, including restenosis, malposition and rupture. A total of 16 stents were implanted in 10 children, 5 cases had simultaneous stenosis of bifurcation openings of pulmonary arteries, and 1 stent was implanted in each of the left and right pulmonary artery openings. The pressure of right ventricular and gradient was significantly decreased immediately after intervention, from preoperative (38-80) mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) to postoperative (0-22) mmHg, only one patient's pressure gradient is over 20 mmHg (22 mmHg), and all cases discharged successfully. Stent restenosis, malposition, fracture and other abnormalities were not observed in follow-up. Stents implantation for patients with pulmonary artery bifurcation opening stenosis is very more difficult. A good strategy can ensure that the intervention is safe and effective. It not only avoids the risk of repeated surgery, but also achieves good med-term follow-up results.

B-42 | Simultaneous Stent Implantation for Pulmonary Artery Bifurcation Stenosis in Infants

Pulmonary artery (PA) bifurcation stenosis often requires simultaneous stent placement, which may be technically challenging. Limited data exist regarding this practice in small children. We aim to report the procedural outcomes and safety of bifurcation stent placement in infants.

Hybrid Subxiphoid Perventricular Approach as an Alternative Access in Neonates and Small Children Undergoing Complex Congenital Heart Interventions.

The hybrid subxiphoid perventricular approach provides direct access through the heart and may alleviate the technical limitations of complex percutaneous interventions particularly in infants with low body weight. We present the outcomes from a tertiary cardiology center using this approach. We performed a retrospective review of all patients less than 15kg who underwent a hybrid perventricular approach via a small subxiphoid incision. Medical records were reviewed to obtain clinical, demographic and outcome data. Seventeen patients underwent 18 hybrid perventricular procedures using a subxiphoid approach. Median age at time of procedure was 4.6months (IQR = 1.6 to 18months) and median weight was 6.2 kgs (IQR = 3.4 to 8.6 kgs). Six patients underwent hybrid pulmonary valve replacement (PVR), 5 patients underwent pulmonary outflow stenting, and 5 infants underwent hybrid ventricular septal defect (VSD) device closure. One patient with a single ventricle who did not tolerate a percutaneous approach underwent left pulmonary artery (LPA) stenting for severe LPA coarctation with subsequent right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) stenting. One further patient underwent implantation of a larger diameter stent for pulmonary artery bifurcation stenosis. Procedure success rate was 89% with two of the VSD cases reverted to open surgical repair. There were no intra-procedural complications; however, one patient died within 72h. Minor adverse events occurred in 2 patients including a wound infection in one patient with an immunodeficiency syndrome. Hybrid subxiphoid perventricular approach provides an excellent alternative access to the heart especially in low birth weight infants to prevent hemodynamic instability or in small children requiring large delivery sheaths.

The Y-stenting technique for pulmonary artery bifurcation stenosis: Initial results and mid-term outcomes

BackgroundTreatment for main or peripheral PBS is challenging. An interventional approach is generally preferred as surgical angioplasty often results in residual stenosis. However, there is limited data on the mid- and long-term results of the different interventional approaches. The aim of this study is to report on initial and mid-term results of the Y-stenting technique for pulmonary artery bifurcation stenosis (PBS). MethodsA single centre retrospective study of all Y-stenting procedures for main or peripheral PBS was conducted. Patient and procedural data as well as mid-term outcomes were analysed. Results11 Y-stenting procedures were performed, 9 in the main pulmonary bifurcation and 2 in the PA periphery. In 8 patients the bifurcation stents were connected, in 3 patients there was no connection between the stents. Y-stenting creates a geometry close to the physiological PA bifurcation anatomy with complete alignment to the vessel wall without flow separation. Control angiography showed unrestricted blood flow after all procedures. Median right/left ventricle pressure ratio decreased from 0.9 to 0.5. No immediate or delayed adverse events were seen. During a median follow-up of 33.5 months, 2 patients in the non-connected group and 3 patients in the connected group needed a total of 6 re-interventions. No intima proliferation was seen in patients with connected stents. ConclusionsY-stenting is a safe and effective treatment for PBS. When both bifurcation stents are connected, this may result in lower rates of in-stent intima proliferation in comparison to other PBS stenting techniques.

Simultaneous stenting of tightly stenosed patent ductus arteriosus and pulmonary artery bifurcation using two stents (Y stenting): An innovative technique

Stenting of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a palliative technique that is evolving as an alternative to shunt surgery. Patients with duct-dependant pulmonary circulation and branch pulmonary artery stenosis are often palliated by shunt surgery with repair of branch pulmonary arteries under cardiopulmonary bypass. We present here an 8-month-old male child with duct-dependant pulmonary circulation with bifurcation stenosis who was palliated successfully by transcatheter means. He had stenosed PDA with tight pulmonary artery bifurcation stenosis and underwent successful "Y" stenting of PDA with simultaneous deployment of two stents. He successfully underwent bidirectional Glenn surgery 8 months after the procedure. Simultaneous stenting of bifurcation stenosis of branch pulmonary arteries with two stents has not been described in the literature.

Pulmonary artery banding in the current era: Is it still useful?

Background:The objective of this study was to assess the results of the pulmonary artery (PA) banding in patients with congenital heart defects (CHD) and pulmonary hypertension (PH) in the current era.Methods:We analyzed data from 305 patients who underwent PA banding between April 2005 and April 2010 at our centre. All patients were approached through a left thoracotomy. Twenty percent of patients underwent PA banding based on Trusler's rule (Group 1), 55% of them underwent PA banding based on PA pressure measurement (Group 2), and the rest of them (25%) based on surgeon experience (Group 3). The follow-up period was 39 ± 20 month and 75% of patients (230 cases) had definitive repair at mean interval 23 ± 10 months.Results:The rate of anatomically and functionally effectiveness of PA banding in all groups was high (97% and 92%, respectively). There were no significant differences in anatomically and functionally efficacy rate between all groups (P=0.77, P=0.728, respectively). There was PA bifurcation stenosis in six cases (2%), and pulmonary valve injury in one case (0.3%). The mortality rate in PA banding was 2% and in definitive repair was 3%.Conclusions:We believe that PA banding still plays a role in management of patients with CHD, particularly for infants with medical problems such as sepsis, low body weight, intracranial hemorrhage and associated non cardiac anomalies. PA banding can be done safely with low morbidity and mortality.

Treatment of pulmonary artery bifurcation stenosis by simultaneous implantation of Genesis XD stent

Treatment of pulmonary artery bifurcation stenosis by simultaneous implantation of Genesis XD stent

Novel use of a retroaortic innominate vein in cavopulmonary anastomosis

is well recognized. 3 We present a child with tricuspid atresia and pulmonary atresia with bifurcation stenosis of confluent pulmonary arteries (Figure 1). The child also had a right aortic arch. The parallel course of the retroaortic innominate vein with the pulmonary artery was used in pulmonary artery reconstruction by creating a wide side-to-side anastomosis (Figure 2). Clinical Summary The child was given a diagnosis of tricuspid atresia and pulmonary atresia at birth. He underwent placement of a left modified Blalock-Taussig shunt at day 1 of life. He was initially doing well, and then he presented at 6 months of life with increasing cyanosis. A central shunt from the aorta to the right pulmonary artery was placed through a sternotomy at another center. At 9 months of age, when he presented with increasing cyanosis, it was found that the central aortopulmonary shunt had become blocked and that there was narrowing of the left Blalock-Taussig shunt. A narrowed patent ductus was found supplying the right pulmonary artery. The patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was stented, with the stent extending into the right pulmonary artery. When he presented to us at 1 year and 5 months of age, he had a patent but narrowed left Blalock-Taussig shunt, a blocked aortoright pulmonary shunt and a stented PDA supplying the right pulmonary artery, which had narrowed. He had an oxygen saturation of 72% on room air. There was severe stenosis of the pulmonary artery bifurcation at the site of PDA insertion (Figure 1). He had a right aortic arch. A computed tomographic angiogram revealed that he had a retroaortic innominate vein. A bidirectional Glenn procedure with pulmonary artery reconstruction was planned. After induction, a venous cannula in the left jugular vein was placed to detect any compression of the retroaortic innominate vein. The right and left jugular venous catheters showed equal pressures of 10 mm Hg. A redo median sternotomy was performed, and the aorta and right atrium were cannulated. All the systemic pulmonary shunts were controlled, and the patient was cooled to 18°C. The retroaortic innominate vein was dissected. It was found coursing just above the left pulmonary artery behind the PDA and inserting into the superior vena cava just above its junction with right atrium. The aorta was transected to provide unimpeded visualization of the pulmonary artery bifurcation. The pulmonary artery was opened, and the previous stent was removed piecemeal. The pulmonary artery was opened across the stenosed portion into the right and left pulmonary artery. The retroaortic innominate vein was opened parallel to the pulmonary artery from its insertion into the superior vena cava and anastamosed side to side, with the pulmonary artery providing a wide, unimpeded venous drainage into the pulmonary arteries and at the same time augmenting the stenosed portion of the pulmonary artery bifurcation (Figure 2). The aorta was reanastomosed, and the patient was weaned off cardiopulmonary bypass. The oxygen saturation was 87% with a fraction of inspired oxygen of 60%, and the left and

Surgical experience with total correction of tetralogy of Fallot in infancy

Fifty two patients less than one year old with tetralogy of Fallot underwent primary repair between January 1991 and December 1994. Age range was three to twelve months (mean 10.09 ± 2.01 months) and body weight ranged from 4.5 to 9 kg (mean 8.38 ± 2.79 kg). Transatrial-transpulmonary repair was performed in 36 patients and the classical transventricular approach was used in 16 patients. Six patients underwent emergency surgery for severe cyanosis and spells. Five patients had left pulmonary artery plasty for pulmonary artery bifurcation stenosis and two out of the five patients who had anomalous coronary arteries needed a right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit. Mean post repair peak right ventricular/systemic pressure ratio was 0.74 ± 0.18 in the transventricular group and 0.71 ± 0.26 in the transatrial-transpulmonary group. There were three hospital deaths. Follow-up ranged from 3 to 46 months (mean 21.18 months). Forty patients underwent echocardiography and twenty patients underwent cardiac catheterisation six to eighteen months after surgery. Mean right ventricular outflow tract gradient on echocardiography was 20.35 ± 10.12 and, at cardiac catheterisation, 17.51 ± 13.49 mmHg with mean post repair peak right ventricle/left ventricle pressure ratio of 0.44 ± 0.11. These were significantly less than the values obtained in the operating room. Only one patient had residual ventricular septal defect with left to right shunt of 1.6:1 at cardiac recatheterisation. There was one late death after reoperation for residual obstruction. Encouraging results with primary repair of tetralogy of Fallot in infancy prompt us to continue this policy in suitable cases.

Surgical correction of a severely obstructed pulmonary artery bifurcation in Takayasu's arteritis

A young male patient (NYHA III) presented with a severe pulmonary artery bifurcation stenosis of unknown origin. He underwent successful radical resection and endarterectomy of abundant endoluminal and perivascular inflammatory tissue. Surgery was performed with extracorporeal circulation (ECC) without transection of the aorta and the pulmonary artery bifurcation was enlarged with a patch. Right ventricular to peripheral pulmonary artery pressure gradient fell from 80 mmHg preoperatively to 25 mmHg 18 months postoperatively. The patient is fully rehabilitated and working (NYHA I). Histological examination confirmed Takayasu's arteritis as the underlying disease and medium-term follow-up angiography showed an almost normal pulmonary artery bifurcation. We conclude that the radical surgical approach is a valuable palliation in this disease.

Optimal management of patients with complete atrioventricular septal defect

Controversy still persists as to whether patients with complete atrioventricular septal defect should be treated by primary total correction or a two-stage approach utilizing initial pulmonary artery banding. We believe a selected management program dictated by each individual patient's anatomy, presentation (size and preoperative functional class), and associated anomalies should be practiced, but with a strong preference toward initial total repair incorporating modern techniques to construct left and right atrioventricular valves, correct valvular incompetence, and close ventricular and atrial defects. Utilizing this management program, 23 consecutive patients (age 5 days to 51 months) with complete forms of atrioventricular septal defect were surgically corrected from July 1, 1984 through June 30, 1988. Fourteen patients were 12 months of age or less at the time of complete repair. Five patients (22%) had initial pulmonary artery banding, but only 2 were performed by us. Both had very extenuating circumstances making complete repair inappropriate. Only 2 of these 23 patients having complete repair died (hospital mortality 9%) and one had pulmonary artery banding 3 years previously. Of the 5 patients with initial pulmonary artery banding, 3 (60%) required right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction and/or repair of pulmonary artery bifurcation stenosis. We believe these good results support our continued practice of selective management of patients with complete forms of atrioventricular septal defect, but we maintain a strong preference toward initial complete repair.