Comparison of right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit and modified Blalock-Taussig shunt hemodynamics after the Norwood operation

Ann Thorac Surg. 2004 Sep;78(3):1090-3. doi: 10.1016/S0003-4975(03)01386-9.

Abstract

The Norwood procedure remains one of the highest-risk operations in congenital heart surgery. A significant contributor to this risk is thought to be the diastolic run-off into the modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (MBTS). In an effort to eliminate this risk, several groups have begun to utilize a right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit (RVPAC), which decreases this diastolic "steal" of coronary blood flow. Whereas initial results with the RVPAC are encouraging, the postulated hemodynamic advantages are unproven. This case illustrates the positive hemodynamic changes by echocardiography after the replacement of a MBTS with a RVPAC in a patient after a Norwood procedure.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Anastomosis, Surgical / methods
  • Aortic Valve / abnormalities
  • Cardiac Surgical Procedures*
  • Carotid Arteries / surgery
  • Female
  • Heart Ventricles / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome / surgery*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Mitral Valve / abnormalities
  • Pulmonary Artery / surgery*
  • Subclavian Artery / abnormalities