[Endovascular stent in the treatment of residual pulmonary stenosis in patients operated on for congenital heart defects; initial results].

OBJECTIVE

Evaluation of the preliminary results of stent implantation as a new technique of intervention cardiology to treat (residual) stenosis of pulmonary arteries in congenital heart disease.

DESIGN

Descriptive.

SETTING

Children's Heart Centre, University Hospital Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

METHODS

Data about physical condition, heart catheterization/angiography and lung perfusion scan were collected. Special attention was paid to the lung perfusion scan as a potential parameter of evaluation.

RESULTS

The physical condition was not a useful parameter to judge the result of the pulmonary intravascular stenting, due to a simultaneously present important pulmonary valve insufficiency in most cases. Angiography showed a good result immediately after the procedure in all cases, except in one with kinking of the stent. The increase of lung perfusion could be confirmed by lung scintigraphy in most cases. The relative perfusion of the affected lung increased from 22.7% (SD: 10.8) to 38.6% (12.3) (p < or = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous implantation of endovascular stents in pulmonary artery branch stenosis is a welcome alternative to (reconstructive) cardiac surgery. Objective quantification of this stenting by lung perfusion scintigraphy, a technique without patient discomfort, is possible.