Impact of Blalock-Taussig shunt size on tricuspid regurgitation in hypoplastic left heart syndrome

Abstract

Background The prognosis for hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) has greatly improved over the past years, but there is still a significant risk of interstage mortality. Tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) is known to be a risk factor for interstage mortality. We hypothesized that a modified Blalock-Taussig (BT) shunt with a smaller diameter would lead to a reduction in ventricular volume loading with a consequent reduction in TR. Methods A retrospective review of all patients with HLHS who had a Norwood procedure in our institution between 2006 and 2011 was performed. Patient demographic, echocardiographic, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and operative data were reviewed. The impact o..