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Classic Blalock-Taussig shunt in neonates
N Yoshimura1, M Yamaguchi, H Ohashi
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Kobe Children's Hospital, Japan.
The Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery
|April 30, 1999
Summary
The classic Blalock-Taussig shunt offers a safe and effective palliative option for neonates with congenital cyanotic heart defects, demonstrating low mortality and good long-term results.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Congenital Heart Disease Surgery
- Neonatal Palliative Care
Background:
- Palliative procedures for neonates with congenital cyanotic heart defects are debated.
- Concerns exist regarding the classic Blalock-Taussig shunt's adequacy due to high mortality and early failure rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the early and late outcomes of the classic Blalock-Taussig shunt in neonates.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of 31 neonates who underwent a classic Blalock-Taussig shunt between December 1981 and December 1996.
- Patients' mean age was 15.9 days, with various congenital cyanotic heart defects including pulmonary atresia, univentricular heart, tricuspid atresia, tetralogy of Fallot, and transposition of the great arteries.
Main Results:
- No early deaths were recorded; one early shunt failure required replacement.
- Twelve patients needed additional shunt procedures, with a mean interval of 27.7 months.
- Shunt patency was 94.7% at 3 years, with 80.5% freedom from cardiac events at 1 year and 54.9% at 3 years.
Conclusions:
- The classic Blalock-Taussig shunt demonstrates low operative mortality and provides excellent long-term palliation in neonates.
- It is considered a reasonable palliative choice for neonates with congenital cyanotic heart defects.