Disease-Specific Outcome Analysis of Palliation With the Modified Blalock-Taussig Shunt

Abstract

This study shows that the outcome of palliation with the MBTS is importantly affected by the occurrence of a shunt-related complication, whose circulatory effect is even more dismal in single ventricle hearts. Since an increased shunt size-to-weight ratio additionally compromises the shunt-dependent survival, it emphasizes that the choice of the shunt with regard to size as well as surgical approach remains critical.