Impact of stent of ductus arteriosus and modified Blalock–Taussig shunt on pulmonary arteries growth and second-stage surgery in infants with ductus-dependent pulmonary circulation

INTRODUCTION: Ducts-dependent pulmonary circulation is spectrum of congenital heart diseases that need urgent intervention to augment pulmonary blood. Systemic to pulmonary shunt is the classical surgical management. Stenting of ductus arteriosus emerged in the last 2 decades as an alternative plausible intervention. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and compare the short and midterm effects of PDA stenting in compared to surgically placed shunt for augmentation of pulmonary blood flow looking to pulmonary artery (PA) branches growth, oxygen saturation and suitability for second stage repair. METHODS: We conducted this prospective study in Cardiac Surgical Intensive Care Unit. Cases were divided into “stent group” and “surgical shunt” group. Results were compared between two groups regarding oxygen saturation, mechanical ventilation duration, intensive care stay, mortality and morbidity. Growth of PA branches was assessed during follow up by echocardiograph. Nakata index score was calculated by angiogram before second stage surgery and was compared between both groups. RESULTS: 43 patients were included. Forty-two cases were offered stent as initial management. 6/42 cases failed stenting (14%) and 3/42 (7%) required late BT shunt after PDA stenting. 10/43 cases ended up receiving BT shunt and were counted as “surgical shunt group”. Stent group (33 cases) needed less mechanical ventilation (2.08 ± 0.65 vs.7.8 ± 4 days with p = 0.014), and less ICU stay compared with surgical shunt group (6.2 ± 1.02 vs. 14 ± 4.5 days, P = 0.009). Both groups achieved similar growth of pulmonary artery branches (p = 0.6 for Z score of left pulmonary artery and P = 0.8 for Z score for right pulmonary artery). Although “stent group” reached second stage surgery with lower O2 saturation 67.6 ± 4.6 vs. 80 ± 4.2 in “surgical shunt” group with P value = 0.0002). Majority of patients in both groups had some PA distortion and needed surgical reconstruction in main pulmonary artery or in its main branches during second stage repair. 3 cases (7.1%) died soon post stenting versus none in surgical shunt group (p = value 0.57). CONCLUSIONS: In neonates with ductus-dependent pulmonary circulation PDA stenting can be introduced as safe first possible option to augment pulmonary blood flow with good outcome and suitable preparation for second stage palliation.