Long-Term Outcome After Pulmonary Artery Banding in Children With Atrioventricular Septal Defects.

BACKGROUND

Patients with atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) may require pulmonary artery banding (PAB), either as a part of a staged univentricular palliation or to allow delayed biventricular repair in patients presenting with early heart failure. The long-term outcomes of PAB in children with AVSD have not been previously reported.

METHODS

All children with AVSD who underwent PAB at a single institution were included in the study. Data were obtained from medical records and correspondence with general practitioners and cardiologists.

RESULTS

A total of 68 patients with complete AVSD underwent PAB, of whom 58.8% of patients (40 of 68) had balanced AVSD (bAVSD) and underwent PAB with intent to subsequently perform biventricular repair. The remaining 41.2% of patients (28 of 68) had unbalanced AVSD (uAVSD) and underwent PAB as part of staged univentricular repair. PAB was not associated with a short-term increase in atrioventricular valve (AVV) regurgitation (p = 0.24). In patients with bAVSD, 83.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 67.4% to 92.4%) achieved biventricular repair. Survival was 73.4% (95% CI: 54.3% to 85.5%) and freedom from left AVV operation was 60.0% (95% CI: 36.1% to 77.4%) at 20 years of follow-up. In patients with uAVSD, 61.9% (95% CI: 40.5% to 77.5%) had achieved Fontan completion at 10 years of follow-up. Survival was 60.9% (95% CI: 36.2% to 78.5%) and freedom from AVV operation was 78.6% (95% CI: 55.5% to 90.6%) at 20 years.

CONCLUSIONS

PAB can be used in patients with AVSD without compromising AVV function. Most patients with bAVSD progress to biventricular repair, albeit with a high rate of AVV reoperation. Patients with uAVSD who undergo PAB have similar outcomes to the overall uAVSD population.