New transcatheter techniques for creation or enlargement of atrial septal defects in infants with complex congenital heart disease

Abstract

Creation or enlargement of ASDs in infants using new nonconventional transcatheter techniques is feasible, safe, and effective, at least in the short-to-mid-term follow-up. Infants with TGA seem to benefit the most because the procedure results in satisfactory clinical stability for subsequent early surgical intervention. In infants with HLHS palliated by a hybrid approach, stent implantation to the atrial septum seems to buy enough time to bring them to the phase II safely despite progressive in-stent obstruction.