Ventriculo-direct atrial shunts

Abstract

✓ Ventriculoatrial shunts were performed on 10 patients by placing the cardiac tube directly into the right atrium via the auricular appendage at thoracotomy, and the long-term results after 3 to 6 years were analyzed. Complications included distractions of the upper part of the shunt, pleural cyst formation, pleural effusion, and phrenic nerve injury. The procedure is not recommended for the primary treatment of hydrocephalus, but is useful when simpler shunts are no longer possible or desirable.