Expansion Characteristics of Stents Used in Congenital Heart Disease: Serial Dilation Offers Improved Expansion Potential Compared to Direct Dilation: Results from a Pediatric Interventional Cardiology Early Career Society (PICES) Investigation

Abstract

All tested vascular stents can be dilated beyond their nominal implantation diameter. Serial dilation offers a much more reliable response with uniform expansion, less foreshortening, greater maximal diameter, and improved intentional fracture potential, as compared to direct dilation from the nominal to maximal diameter. In vivo studies are necessary to corroborate these findings in the congenital heart disease population.