Blalock-Taussig shunt versus patent ductus arteriosus stent as first palliation for ductal-dependent pulmonary circulation lesions: A review of the literature

Background Infants with ductal-dependent pulmonary blood flow (PBF) often undergo a palliative procedure to provide a stable source of PBF prior to definitive palliation or repair. In the current era, a surgical shunt or ductal stent is used to provide PBF. We aimed to review the current literature comparing ductal stents to surgical shunts. Methods and results Four small, single-center studies and two larger multicenter studies were identified comparing ductal stent to surgical shunt. Combined, these studies showed ductal stent resulted in similar or improved pulmonary artery growth, fewer complications, shorter length of stay, less diuretic use, and improved survival compared to surgical shunt. Despite inherent minor variability among the studies, ductal stent appears to be associated with more frequent reinterventions. Conclusions Surgical shunts remain essential to the care of these patients, but ductal stent is a reasonable alternative, and may provide some advantages in select patients with ductal-dependent PBF.