Novel application of the Diabolo technique to restrict pulmonary blood flow in a single ventricle patient with a right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit

Abstract

Balancing pulmonary and systemic circulations in single ventricle patients with a conduit after Stage 1 palliation is challenging. A transcatheter intervention for excessive pulmonary blood flow would provide benefit. We report a case of a critically ill single ventricle patient with symptoms of excessive pulmonary blood flow after Stage 1 despite maximal medical therapy. The patient underwent percutaneous intraluminal downsizing of the right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit using a novel application of the Diabolo-covered stent technique, with subsequent clinical improvement. A second catheterization was performed during the interstage period with successful dilation of the stent to achieve appropriate saturations. The Diabolo technique can be successfully employed in this population to restrict pulmonary blood flow and has the advantage of being adjusted during placement and in subsequent interventions.

Keywords: congenital heart disease; pediatric intervention; stenting technique.