Stenting of stenotic aortopulmonary collaterals in non-surgically treated adolescent or adult patients with pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect and multiple aortopulmonary collaterals.

Objectives: To present our experience with stent implantations in non-surgically treated patients with pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect and stenotic aortopulmonary collaterals.

Methods: Between April 2007 and June 2009, 6 stents in 4 patients were implanted into stenosed segments of MAPCAs. The median age and weight of patients at stent implantation were 24 years (range 13-34 years) and 58.5 kg (range 56-70 kg), respectively.

Results: All implantations were successfully performed; there were no procedure associated complications. The median diameter increase of stenosed MAPCAs was 107%. The mean arterial blood saturation increased from mean 78% to 84%. An early increase in the median exercise duration measured by 6MWT was 36%. Neointimal in-stent fibroproliferation in 4/6 stents and stent fracture in 1/6 patients occured in mid-term follow-up.

Conclusion: Percutaneous catheterizational stent implantation into stenosed segments of MAPCAs is a palliative procedure, that might improve quality of life of non-surgically treated patients with PA, VSD, MAPCAs. Neointimal in-stent fibroproliferation and stent fracture can be expected as complications in mid-term follow-up. CT-angiography is recommended to confirm these complications in progressive satO2 decrease (Fig. 3, Ref. 12).