STENTING OF THE DUCTUS-ARTERIOSUS AS A BRIDGE TO CARDIAC TRANSPLANTATION IN INFANTS WITH THE HYPOPLASTIC LEFT-HEART SYNDROME

The hypoplastic left-heart syndrome is a complex congenital cardiac malformation1–3 that accounts for 7 to 8 percent of all cardiac lesions presenting in the first year of life; in addition, it is known to be the most common cause of death due to cardiac causes during the first week of life3–5. The prognosis has changed substantially since the development of the Norwood procedure in 19803,6–11 and the introduction of neonatal heart transplantation in 19853,12–14. When transplantation is considered, however, patency of the ductus arteriosus must be maintained until a suitable donor organ… © 1993, Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.