Stent implantation into the patent ductus arteriosus in cyanotic congenital heart disease with duct-dependent or diminished pulmonary circulation

We assessed the efficacy and safety of stent implantation into the ductus arteriosus in infants with cyanotic heart disease. Ten patients with duct-dependent or diminished pulmonary circulation underwent cardiac catheterization with the aim of stent implantation. Coronary stents of 3.5-4 mm. in diameter were used and successfully implanted in eight. All patients in whom stent implantation was successful had adequate relief of their cyanosis and were discharged home. During a mean follow-up of 9.3 months (median 10 months), one patient had evidence of restenosis of the stent at five months. Re-dilatation of the stenosed stent was attempted but was unsuccessful and a modified left Blalock-Taussig shunt was placed surgically. Stent implantation of ductus arteriosus in neonates and infants with a duct-dependent pulmonary circulation is an effective and safe palliative procedure. It may be an alternative to surgical systemic-pulmonary artery shunt in a select group of patients.