Hybrid transcatheter-surgical palliation: basis for univentricular or biventricular repair: the Giessen experience.

The outcome of patients with hypoplastic left heart (HLH) is determined by many factors, particularly by the first-step palliative procedure in newborns undergoing the Norwood procedure, its Sano modification, or, rarely, through challenging biventricular repairs. Duct stenting combined with bilateral pulmonary artery banding (PAB) is a new method employed as an alternative first-step approach in a number of centers worldwide. We describe this interventional-surgical "hybrid approach" as an additional strategy for the treatment of newborns with HLH syndrome and HLH complex.

Stent implantation in the ductus arteriosus for pulmonary blood supply in congenital heart disease.

Indications for catheter-based interventions in patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)-dependent pulmonary blood flow have yet to be defined. The aim of this study was to assess the acute and midterm outcome after stent implantation in the PDA. Between 1996 and 2002, ductal stenting was performed in 21 neonates and infants (14 females/7 males) to maintain pulmonary blood supply in cyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD).

Serial stent implantation to relieve in-stent stenosis in obstructed total anomalous pulmonary venous return.

A nine-year-old girl with complex cyanotic heart disease associated with supracardiac total anomalous venous return and obstruction at the drainage site of the vertical vein into the left innominate vein had stent placement at the age of seven, with immediate increase of oxygen saturation and improvement of physical activity. Significant in-stent stenosis occurred that was successfully treated by concentrical placement of a second stent. This case report demonstrates the transluminal approach to be effective in the treatment of stenoses in congenital heart defects that are not eligible for corrective surgery.

Stenting of the arterial duct and banding of the pulmonary arteries: basis for combined Norwood stage I and II repair in hypoplastic left heart.

Background: Outcome of patients with hypoplastic left heart (HLH) is mainly influenced by the successful first-step palliation according to the Norwood procedure. An alternative approach is heart transplantation (HTX). The feasibility of ductal stenting in newborns with duct-dependent systemic blood flow and bilateral pulmonary artery banding has been reported.