A new technique of percutaneously adjustable pulmonary artery banding

Objective: Pulmonary artery banding is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. We describe a new technique of adjustable pulmonary artery banding to prevent these problems. Methods: Between December 2003 and May 2005, 32 patients aged 18 days to 2 years (mean age, 2.5 +/- 0.5 months) and weighing 2.1 to 6.3 kg (mean, 3.6 +/- 1.3 kg) underwent adjustable pulmonary artery banding. Results: All patients survived the operation. There were 2 deaths, one caused by meningitis and another caused by aspiration pneumonitis. Satisfactory band gradients were achieved between 3 and 10 days (7.2 +/- 2.6 days) in 3 to 6 sittings. Mean follow-up was 7.5 +/- 3.8 months (1-16 months). One patient required reoperation for unsatisfactory band gradient 2 weeks after discharge. There were no late deaths. Follow-up computed tomographic angiograms (n=4) demonstrated proper band placement and ruled out distortion of the pulmonary arteries. Four patients underwent uneventful definitive operations after an interval of 7 to 13 months. Conclusion: This technique of percutaneously adjustable pulmonary artery banding is simple and inexpensive and allows easy band adjustments without the need for multiple reoperations.