Stent implantation to maintain patency of a stenosed Blalock Taussig shunt

Abstract

A 14-year-old female with complex congenital heart disease underwent a left-sided classical Blalock Taussig (BT) shunt 15 days after birth. Ten years after the operation her oxygen saturation had decreased significantly. An angiography revealed a severely stenosed BT shunt. Balloon dilation including implantation of a 6 × 13 mm stent was performed successfully. Immediately after intervention, oxygen saturation rose from 55% to 80-84% in room air. Follow-up at a year and a half later showed the classical BT shunt was still patent.