Transcatheter treatment for systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt obstruction in infants and children

Abstract

Systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt occlusion is a life-threatening complication in patients with shunt-dependent pulmonary blood flow. In the current era, the definitive diagnosis of shunt obstruction, and interventions to re-establish shunt patency are performed in the catheterization laboratory, rather than the operating room. This review summarizes the various transcatheter techniques used by the interventionalist to re-establish flow through occluded shunts.