Distal Dunk for Right Ventricle to Pulmonary Artery Shunt in Stage 1 Palliation.

The use of a right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery (RV-PA) conduit for stage 1 palliation of hypoplastic left heart syndrome is common. A prospective randomized multiinstitutional study revealed that approximately 40% of those receiving this shunt required intervention on the shunt or pulmonary arteries, or both. A technique has been developed to help ameliorate proximal conduit stenosis. We present a new technique to improve distal conduit stenosis and decrease anastomotic bleeding from this site. The technique involves dunking a segment of the shunt into the pulmonary arteries and suture placement in the shunt rings and not in the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).