Intrapulmonary balloon for temporary relief of pulmonary hypertension

In this report, we shall describe a case of interventricular septal defect with severe cardiac and respiratory insufficiency unresponsive to clinical treatment. The critical condition of the patient prompted us to introduce an obstructive balloon into the pulmonary artery with the objective of reducing pulmonary flow and improving respiratory insufficiency. The mean pressure was reduced from 45 to 19 mm. Hg, and the infant's cardiopulmonary status improved dramatically. After 36 hours, during which the clinical picture stabilized, a banding operation was performed with success.