Contemporary Outcomes After Pulmonary Artery Banding in Complete Atrioventricular Septal Defect

This study investigated the clinical outcomes and the effect of band tightness on outcome after pulmonary artery banding (PAB) in patients with complete atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD).

From 2000 through 2019, among 133 patients with isolated complete AVSD pursuing biventricular repair, 34 patients (25.6%) who underwent PAB were included in this study. Factors associated with adverse outcome, which was defined as prolonged stay in the intensive care unit (>10 days), were analyzed using a multiple logistic regression model. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to identify a threshold band tightness for adverse outcome.

The median age and weight were 43 days and 3.6 kg, respectively. There were 4 early deaths. The median intensive care unit stay was 8 days. Twenty-eight patients (28/34; 82.4%) underwent definitive repair 10 months (interquartile range, 7-12 months) after PAB. In multivariable analysis, indexed band diameter was identified as a factor associated with adverse outcome (odds ratio, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.03-2.48; P = .035). Receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated 22.2 mm/m² of indexed PAB diameter measured at discharge as a threshold band tightness for adverse outcome (area under curve, 0.871; P < .001). The level of B-type natriuretic peptide similarly decreased after PAB regardless of band tightness, although the probability of worsening in atrioventricular valve regurgitation was significantly decreased in patients with a tighter band (P = .027).

PAB is a viable option for early-presenting patients with complete AVSD. Tighter PAB might be beneficial for early postoperative outcomes and preventing progression of atrioventricular valve regurgitation in complete AVSD.