Extended Szabo (anchor-wire) technique concept for stent implantation in congenital heart lesions

We report the usefulness of the Szabo (anchor-wire) technique and two modifications of such based on the same concept for stent implantation in congenital heart lesions. The modifications of the original technique are related to the localization of the cell of the stent through which the anchor wire, which stops the stent advancement, is introduced: proximal in the original technique and central or distal in the reported modifications. These techniques were performed in six patients: in two to maintain permeability of the ductus arteriosus, in three to achieve a fenestration of the interatrial septum, and in one to implant a stent in a right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery conduit close to the bifurcation. We describe the technique as well as the most important difficulties and complications encountered. The Szabo or anchor-wire technique concept is a new tool for stent implantation that can provide more accurate stent positioning compared with conventional angiographically guided implantation in different congenital heart defects. As with any new tool, this technique demands a learning curve and knowledge of potential complications.