Creation with a stent of an unrestrictive lasting atrial communication.

A new technique is presented to create percutaneously an unrestrictive and lasting atrial communication in small children. In 2 infants, a stent was deployed in a restrictive atrial communication and first inflated with an 8 mm balloon. The stent was then further expanded up to 10 or 12 mm. The gradient and turbulent flow between the two atriums disappeared completely. The stent retained a very stable position without embolisation. Other complications, such as formation of thrombus or arrhythmia, were not observed until elective explantation after 2 and 11 months. We conclude that, in infants, dilation of the atrial septum with a stent can provide a safe, lasting, and unrestrictive atrial communication.