ABSTRACT
@#Objective Tho evaluate the outcomes of early percutaneous occlusion of these residual major aortopulmonary collateral arteries after heart surgery. Methods This was a retrospective review of children undergoing early percutaneous embolization of major aortopulmonary collateral arteries after cardiac surgery. From January 2013 to February 2017, 52 consecutive patients with postoperative residual major aortopulmonary collateral arteries were treated with percutaneous embolization (38 males, 14 females; median age of 10.0 months, interquartile range 14.0 months; median weight 8.6 kg, interquartile range 4.4 kg). Fifty-one patients were cyanotic and 1 patient was acyanotic. Forty-nine patients underwent corrective surgery and 3 patients underwent B-T shunt. Results Typical symptoms and signs of major aortopulmonary collateral arteries included: elevated left atrial pressure; focal lung infiltration, pink or blood-stained frothy sputum. The median time interval from cardiac surgery to percutaneous occlusion of major aortopulmonary collateral arteries was 5 (9) d, median duration of mechanic ventilation support since occlusion was 72 (159) h, mechanic ventilation support was 239 (480) h and median duration of intensive care unit was 19 (29) d. There was no death in this group. Conclusion Angiocardiography could be able to demonstrate the existence of postoperative major aortopulmonary collateral arteries. The early percutaneous occlusion appears to be simple, safe and effective.