Embolization of the major aorto--pulmonary collateral artery in tetralogy of Fallot: report of one case

A boy with tetralogy of Fallot diagnosed in infancy, presented for definitive correction at the age of 5 years and 3 months. He had undergone bilateral Blalock-Taussig shunts twice at 1 and 2 years of age, respectively. Cardiac catheterization and angiography prior to total correction revealed a major aorto-pulmonary collateral artery arising from the thoracic aorta and supplying the right upper lung. Embolization of the collateral artery with two platinum coils (via catheterization) was performed. The successful embolization exempted the patient from the risky ligation of the deeply located collateral artery.