European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Vol 12, 931-933, Copyright © 1997 by European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
Pulmonary artery banding with a novel percutaneously, bidirectionally adjustable device
C Schlensak, K Sarai, HP Gildein and F Beyersdorf
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Albert-Ludwigs-University, Freiburg, Germany.
Pulmonary artery banding is commonly performed as a palliative procedure in
complex congenital heart disease, when pulmonary blood flow is increased.
However, the hemodynamics may change postoperatively requiring readjustment
of the band, which may necessitate a second operation. We report a new
system for pulmonary artery banding which allows precise placement of the
band intraoperatively, as well as bidirectional percutaneous adjustment of
the band postoperatively. Via left lateral thoracothomy the new device was
implanted without complications into a neonate with congestive heart
failure due to tricuspid atresia (IIc) and coarctation of the aorta.
Although optimal placement of the band had been achieved intraoperatively
the band had to be tightened 25 h after the operation and released 85 h
after the operation in order to optimize hemodynamics. The bidirectionally
adjustable device for banding of the pulmonary artery is superior to
previously used devices with either no or unidirectional adjustability of
the band because it is safe and easy to implant and has the potential to
reduce the number of reoperations associated with this type of procedure.
