[Closure of a Blalock-Taussig shunt with an Amplatzer sevice after the Fontan operation]

Percutaneous Modified Blalock-Taussig Shunt Closure in a Patient with Isolated Right Ventricular Hypoplasia

Clinical presentation, course, and treatment for patients with isolated right ventricular (RV) hypoplasia (IRVH) depends on the degree of hypoplasia that is present-this is a spectrum from spontaneous maturation to Fontan circulation over time. An 8-month-old infant presented with IRVH; in the patient, a modified Blalock-Taussig (MBTS) shunt was closed percutaneously after spontaneous RV function recovery. A female newborn was diagnosed with differential cyanosis at birth. The echocardiography showed a hypertrophic RV with a small cavity, a right-left shunt on the atrial septal defect, an almost closed ductus arteriosus (DA), and a small tricuspid valve ring (Z-score-2) with mild regurgitation (pressure gradient 30 mmHg). On the 4th day of life, the patient showed deepened cyanosis and hyperlactatemia was registered. The echocardiography examination revealed a closed DA. Right ventriculography performed on the 5th day of life evidenced the presence of a small hypertrabeculated RV. The pressure in the RV increased. A right-side MBTS was created on the 6th day of life. Further echocardiographic findings indicated a gradual development of the RV and a decrease in RV pressure. MBTS occlusion was performed when the patient was 8 months old. Vital parameters were monitored invasively and noninvasively after the balloon occlusion of MBTS. Percutaneous MBTS occlusion was successfully performed using an Amplatzer vascular plug 2 (AVP2). During the follow-up period, the patient was found to have maintained a normal percutaneous oxyhaemoglobin blood saturation.

Hybrid approach to surgical correction of tetralogy of Fallot in all patients with functioning Blalock Taussig shunts

BACKGROUND

In total surgical correction of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) with functioning Blalock Taussig shunts (BTS), shunt take down increased surgical time, bleeding, and might injure phrenic and recurrent laryngeal nerve and thoracic duct.

OBJECTIVES

A routine hybrid approach using transcatheter BTS closure immediately before total surgical correction of TOF in all patients might reduce these problems. We analyze the safety and feasibility of this approach.

METHODS

Transcatheter BTS closure was achieved using single or multiple stainless steel embolization coils, Amplatzer vascular plugs, or duct occluders. When coils were released without control by bioptome forceps, coil migration in larger shunts was prevented by proximal or distal balloon occlusion.

RESULTS

This routine hybrid strategy was followed in 22 consecutive patients aged 1-13 years over 4-year-period and 21 procedures were successful. Among the 16 patients attempted with coils, 13 had successful closure, 2 needed Amplatzer duct occluder devices, and 1 sent for surgical shunt takedown due to acute angulation of the shunt. New Amplatzer vascular plugs were used in six patients. Bioptome was used in six patients and proximal or distal balloon occlusion of flow was used in three patients. Four patients had closure of associated aortopulmonary or chest wall collaterals.

CONCLUSION

Hybrid approach using routine transcatheter closure of all BTS immediately before surgical correction of TOF shunts with coils/plugs/devices is safe, feasible, and reproducible.