Systemic-to-pulmonary collateral vessels and shunts: treatment with embolization

Abnormal collateral vessels develop frequently in patients with right ventricular outflow or pulmonary artery obstruction. Surgery is usually used to obliterate these vessels but may be difficult, involve prolonged operative time, or require a different thoracotomy than that used for correction or palliation of the cardiac anomaly. Sixteen trans-catheter embolization procedures were performed in 15 patients with systemic-to-pulmonary collateral vessels and shunts. In eight embolization procedures performed because of congestive heart failure or low oxygenation, clinical improvement was obtained in seven. In all six patients who underwent embolization preoperatively, the outcome of surgical correction or palliation was satisfactory. Hemorrhage ceased in the two patients with hemoptysis. There were two complications, one transient loss of femoral pulse and one segmental pulmonary infarction. Embolization is a useful adjunct to surgery and medical management of patients with systemic-to-pulmonary collateral vessels and shunts.