Modified technique of stent fenestration of the XXXX .

@entity1 @entity26 @entity120 @entity661 @entity955
OBJECTIVES: To develop a modified technique for stenting the @entity955 in the treatment of @entity1 with a failing Fontan operation or @entity120 . SETTING: Two tertiary referral centres. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective collaborative clinical study. @entity1 AND METHODS: A stent was mounted on a standard valvoplasty balloon catheter which was constricted to a predefined diameter by a loop created from a temporary pacing wire. @entity661 created a diabolo shaped stent configuration. The technique was employed in 12 consecutive @entity1 to relieve symptoms of a failing Fontan circulation (n = 6) or severe @entity120 (n = 6). RESULTS: Ex vivo studies confirmed that a diabolo shaped stent configuration could be achieved using the above technique. Transcatheter stent implantation was successful in all 12 @entity1 . All six Fontan @entity1 showed significant clinical improvement. Right atrial pressure decreased from (mean (SD)) 16.8 (2.5) to 13.7 (1.9) mm Hg (p < 0.05), and arterial @entity26 saturation from 92.8 (1.8)% to 82.7 (3.8)% (p < 0.01). Six @entity1 underwent successful stent fenestration for treatment of @entity120 . All stents were patent and stable at the most recent follow up (mean 1.75 (1.05) years). No early or late stent related complications were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: This new technique allows placement of a diabolo shaped stent with a predefined diameter across the @entity955 . The diabolo shape increases stent stability, facilitates recrossing of the stent during future catheter interventions, and ensures medium term stent patency.
