Implantation of Palmaz stents in branch pulmonary arteries using Olbert balloons

Twenty-three patients, ranging in weight between 4.9 and 74 kg, underwent stent implantation in branch pulmonary arteries. At first, high-pressure balloons were used for stent implantation but, because of stents slipping off the balloons, subsequently in eight patients, aged 2-18 years and weighing 11-72 kg, Olbert balloons were used. Fifteen stents were implanted in 11 vessels in these 8 patients. No instance of stent slippage occurred during introduction through the sheath or when the stent was passed around the curves of the right heart. In one patient, the fully expanded stent slipped over the wire into the main pulmonary artery. This occurred because of undersizing of the stent. The stent was re-advanced into position and expanded using a larger balloon. No significant complications occurred with these balloons. The use of Olbert balloons for stent implantation in branch pulmonary arteries is recommended.