Pulmonary artery banding for univentricular heart beyond the neonatal period

Abstract

Background It is standard practice to band the pulmonary artery at 2 to 4 weeks of age in patients with univentricular hearts with increased pulmonary blood flow. The behavior of patients banded beyond the neonatal period has not been well elucidated. Patients and methods This was a retrospective chart review of 32 consecutive patients (one neonate) who underwent pulmonary artery banding for functionally univentricular heart. The mean age at banding was 5.7 ± 6.0 months, and 34.4% were over 6-months old. Results Mortality was 15.6%. The mean systolic pulmonary artery pressure decreased from 43.6 ± 9.7 to 29.6 ± 7.0 mm Hg. The mean pre-discharge echocardiographic band gradient was 60.6 ± 13.6 mm Hg (mean systemic systolic pressure 73.7 ± 11.0 mm Hg) and systemic oxygen saturation was 81.7% ± 5.8%. At a mean follow-up period of 44.9 ± 30.0 months, 6 patients were lost to follow-up, 13 had undergone bidirectional Glenn shunt, and 7 had Fontan operations. Pulmonary artery mean pressure was 17.2 ± 4.6 mm Hg at pre-Glenn catheterization. Of the 5 patients who had not undergone further surgery, only one was inoperable. All were in functional class I or II. Conclusion Pulmonary artery banding beyond the neonatal period in suitable patients with univentricular hearts provides reasonable palliation in the intermediate term, with a significant number successfully undergoing Fontan stages.