Long-term patency of the ductus arteriosus after balloon dilatation: an experimental study

Balloon dilatation of the ductus arteriosus was carried out in vivo in eight piglets that were 12 to 16 days old. The ductus was functionally closed in all animals before dilatation. Long-term patency for periods of up to 6 months after the procedure was demonstrated in six animals by angiography, Doppler ultrasound examination, and at autopsy. The presence of hemodynamically significant shunts was indicated by clinical development of heart failure, pulmonary infections, and left ventricular hypertrophy. These results confirm the value of this laboratory preparation to create left-to-right shunts at the ductus level.