Pulmonary artery debanding in the cath lab: Lessons learned!

Midterm Outcomes of Endovascular Pulmonary Artery Debanding in Children

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary artery banding (PAB) palliates pulmonary over-circulation, while endovascular debanding (ED) offers a less invasive alternative to repeat surgery.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate our experience with ED.

AIMS

Retrospective review of single-center data (2015-2023) on children with single, multiple, or "Swiss-cheese" muscular ventricular septal defects (MVSDs) undergoing ED.

RESULTS

Ten patients (50% male) underwent ED at a median age of 5 years (IQR, 1.8-6.8) and weight of 15 kg (IQR, 10.6-19.7). Four patients had single MVSD, six had multiple MVSDs. Debanding occurred at a median of 52.8 months (IQR, 18.4-76.6) post-PAB, utilizing six non-compliant Numed Z-MED and four semi-compliant Balt Cristal high-pressure balloons. Median pulmonary valve annulus (PVA) diameters were 15.5 mm (IQR, 12.5-16.8) angiographically. Median balloon-to-PVA diameter ratio was 1 (IQR, 1-1), and median balloon-to-band diameter ratio was 2 (IQR, 1.8-2). Median trans-PAB gradient decreased from 100 mmHg (IQR, 86-108) to 40 mmHg (IQR, 26-46) (p < 0.01) and oxygen saturation improved from a median of 92% (IQR, 86%-97%) to 98% (IQR, 96%-98%) (p < 0.05). There were no procedural complications. Four patients underwent MVSD device closure a median of 7 months (IQR, 3-15) before ED, while seven had concomitant closures, including two with prior closures. Over a median follow-up of 91.7 months (IQR, 71.8-130.7), two patients required redo ED at 23 and 36 months, one with a contained vessel tear. Last recorded maximal Doppler gradient was 27 mmHg (IQR, 9-39).

CONCLUSIONS

Total ED is safe with satisfactory midterm outcomes, though repeat dilations may be necessary during follow-up.

Transcatheter pulmonary artery debanding: Is it effective in every patient?

Background

This study aimed to present our experience with transcatheter pulmonary debanding, focusing on patient outcomes.

Methods

The retrospective study was conducted with 32 patients (17 males, 15 females; mean age: 3.6±2 years; range, 0.5 to 8.8 years) who underwent transcatheter pulmonary debanding between January 2010 and January 2024. The patients were evaluated in two groups. In Group 1 (n=24), total debanding was targeted for patients with spontaneously closed or restrictive ventricular septal defects or those suitable for transcatheter ventricular septal defect closure. In Group 2 (n=8), palliative debanding was utilized in children with ongoing band requirement.

Results

The median body weight was 15 kg. In Group 1, the mean right ventricle-to-aortic pressure ratio (RVp/Aop) was 0.91±0.21 before the procedure, which decreased to a mean of 0.33±0.20 after the procedure. In Group 2, the mean RVp/Aop was 1.31±0.47, which decreased to 0.77±0.13 after transcatheter palliative debanding. The mean peripheral oxygen saturation was 80±6% before the procedure and 94±2.5% after the procedure. Transcatheter debanding was successful in all patients when surgical pulmonary banding was performed with 6-0 Prolene and polytetrafluoroethylene band material.

Conclusion

Transcatheter banding is a safe and effective procedure that minimizes the need for reoperation.

Pulmonary artery banding: a 20-year experience at a tertiary care center in a developing country

Aim

Pulmonary artery banding serves as an important palliative procedure used for the management of several congenital heart lesions. This study aims to describe a 20-year experience of pulmonary artery banding at a tertiary care center in a developing country.

Methods

This is a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent pulmonary artery banding over a 20-year period between January 2000 and July 2020 in a tertiary care center in a developing country. Data regarding demographics, indications, diagnosis, echocardiographic findings, postoperative complications, hospital stay, and outcomes were recorded.

Results

A total of 143 patients underwent pulmonary artery banding between 2000 and 2020, with a decrease from approximately 15 surgeries per year in 2012 to 1-2 surgeries a year in 2020. At the time of banding, the median age of patients was approximately 90 days [interquartile range, IQR, 30-150 days]. Four patients (2.8%) died during the band placement. No significant association was observed between baseline characteristics or type of heart defect at presentation and postoperative morbidity and mortality.

Conclusion

Pulmonary artery banding remains useful in a subset of congenital heart lesions and as a surgical palliation, with relatively low mortality, allowing postponement of total correction to a higher weight. This technique continues to be valuable in developing countries or for heart surgical programs with limited resources.