Early and mid-term results of surgical revascularization of pulmonary artery in unilateral absence of a pulmonary artery / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To summarize the early and middle terms of the revascularization of remnant pulmonary artery in unilateral absent intrapericardial pulmonary artery.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 14 patients(7 males and 7 females) with unilateral absent pulmonary artery, in which 10 were right and 4 were left, the median age at surgery was 5 months. The patients received operation from January 2009 to December 2020. 14 patients, 2 cases associated with tetralogy of Fallot, and 1 case with aortopulmonary window. The diagnosis was made by enhanced CT scan or pulmonary vein wedge angiography. The median diameter of the affected hilar pulmonary artery remnants was(3.20±0.94)mm, and the Z value was -3.92±1.64. All the patients received single-stage revascularization group A tube graft interposition in 3 patients, autologous pericardial roll in 5; group B direct anastomosis in 2, unifocalization in one and main pulmonary artery flap angioplasty in the rest 3.Results:No hospital death occurred. There were no difference finds in the age and weight at operation, the cardiopulmonary bypass time, the mechanical ventilation time, and the length of intensive care unit stay between the two groups. All the patients took aspirin for anticoagulation for 6 months after the operation. The follow-up period was 1 month to 68 months. Because the neo-PA stenosis at the anastomosis was found in one patient in group B, transcatheter balloon angioplasty was performed at 41 months after surgery. Nonetheless, the results were encouraging, symptoms have improved in all patients. The diameter and Z value of the latest ipsilateral pulmonary artery was(6.25±0.99)mm and -2.34±1.18 respectively, significantly improved when compared to the preoperative value. Residual pulmonary artery hypertension was not found. The Z value of the affected side of the pulmonary artery in group B was significantly improved than that in group A.Conclusion:Early and aggressive pulmonary artery revascularization is effective at restoring normal antegrade flow to the affected lung, resulting in improved diameter of the PA, and UAPA patient’s symptoms. The use of autologous pulmonary artery tissue angioplasty may reach a more satisfying result. However, transcatheter intervention may diminish the new pulmonary artery stenosis temporarily, reoperation is still needed in the long-term follow-up.