Pulmonary artery augmentation with autologous aortic tissue.

OBJECTIVE

To assess durability and viability of autologous aortic tissue used to augment severe branch pulmonary artery stenosis with a novice surgical technique.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Seven patients underwent corrective surgery for complex cyanotic congenital heart disease. Their age ranged from 3-6 years, and their weight 11-17.4 kg. All had concomitant branch pulmonary artery stenosis repaired utilizing an autologous patch, harvested from the patient's own aorta by excising a ring and opening it to form the patch. The aorta is reconstructed directly by end to end anastomosis.

RESULTS

One patient died in hospital. Another patient died at 18 months at home. The surviving five patients have remained well in the follow up period of mean 31 months (range 10-52). All patients were restudied by follow up echocardiography and remain with no evidence of the aortic autograft tissue calcification or stenosis. The reconstructed aorta showed no stenosis at the site of anastomosis.

CONCLUSION

The intermediate term results of this novice surgical technique appear encouraging and justify the technique. However, longer follow up will be required to confirm the continued growth of this patch material.