Combined Use of a Modified Microvascular Plug Flow Restrictor and Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Stenting

The balance of pulmonary and systemic blood flow is the fundamental paradigm that influences decision-making in cardiovascular shunt physiology.

This case discusses a term neonate with a prenatal diagnosis of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and tetralogy of Fallot with near pulmonary atresia, a confluent but severely hypoplastic main pulmonary artery and right pulmonary artery, an isolated left pulmonary artery from the aorta, and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries. Before surgical intervention, a right ventricular outflow tract stent was placed along with a modified microvascular plug (mMVP; Medtronic) to restrict flow in the left pulmonary artery.

Recently, there have been case reports using an mMVP as a pulmonary flow restrictor. This innovative technique has shown promise in modulating pulmonary blood flow for patients awaiting surgical interventions or for whom surgery presents significant risks.

In patients with excess pulmonary blood flow, use of an mMVP to restrict flow can be a viable bridge to surgical intervention.