Angioplasty with ductal stent: experience at Garrahan Hospital

Diego S. Vanella, Servicio de Cardiología Infantil, Hospital Nacional de Pediatría Juan P. Garrahan, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Federico D'Antonio, Servicio de Cardiología Infantil, Hospital Nacional de Pediatría Juan P. Garrahan, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
José L. Alonso, Servicio de Hemodinamia, Hospital Nacional de Pediatría Juan P. Garrahan, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
José L. Pibernus, Servicio de Hemodinamia, Hospital Nacional de Pediatría Juan P. Garrahan, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Francisco Comas, Servicio de Hemodinamia, Hospital Nacional de Pediatría Juan P. Garrahan, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Antonio Cannata, Servicio de Hemodinamia, Hospital Nacional de Pediatría Juan P. Garrahan, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Gladys H. Salgado, Servicio de Cardiología Infantil, Hospital Nacional de Pediatría Juan P. Garrahan, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Alberto Sciegata, Servicio de Hemodinamia, Hospital Nacional de Pediatría Juan P. Garrahan, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina

Objective: To describe and evaluate the outcomes of ductal angioplasty with stent placement at a single high-complexity center during the period 2016-2022. Method: A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, including patients under 3 months of age who underwent ductal stent implantation as initial palliative treatment. Demographic, clinical, and anatomical data were collected before the intervention. Mortality, intra- and post-procedural complications, need for re-intervention, intensive care requirements, and hospital stay were recorded. The characteristics at the time of definitive surgery are described. Discrete variables are presented as percentages, and continuous variables are presented with their medians and respective interquartile ranges. Results: Twenty patients who underwent this treatment were reviewed, revealing a success rate of 80%. Complications due to stent dysfunction required surgical resolution. 95% of patients were discharged from the institution after the procedure, and 17 patients reached a second definitive surgical stage. Three patients died after the procedure, but with no direct relation to it. Conclusions: Indications for ductal angioplasty with stent as an alternative treatment to systemic-pulmonary anastomosis by surgery are not yet fully defined; the strategy represents a valid alternative in appropriately selected patients. The presented experience shows results similar to international reference centers.

Keywords: Ductus arteriosus, patent. Stent. Heart defects congenital. Univentricular heart. Pulmonary atresia.