Neonatal pulmonary artery reconstruction during shunting to treat and prevent juxtaductal coarctation

Abstract

Background Coarctation of the pulmonary artery may lead to its early obstruction. We investigated the outcomes of a strategy of aggressive reconstruction of the pulmonary arteries in the neonatal period. Methods From 2000 to 2013 a total of 162 consecutive neonates (< 90 days) underwent systemic-to-pulmonary shunting. Twenty-eight of them underwent the following concomitant reconstruction of the central pulmonary arteries: end-to-end anastomosis (4), patch reconstruction of the pulmonary arteries (24) with 0.4 mm Gore-Tex (W. L. Gore & Associates, Newark, DE) patch (18), or autologous pericardium (6). Ten patients were directed to univentricular palliation and 18 to biventricular repair. Res..