Comparison of ductus stent versus surgical systemic-to-pulmonary shunt as initial palliation in patients with univentricular heart

Abstract OBJECTIVES In this study, we aimed to compare infants with univentricular hearts who underwent an initial ductus stenting to those receiving a surgical systemic-to-pulmonary shunt (SPS). METHODS All infants with univentricular heart and ductal-dependent pulmonary blood flow who underwent initial palliation with either a ductus stenting or a surgical SPS between 2009 and 2022 were reviewed. Outcomes were compared after ductus stenting or SPS including survival, probability of re-interventions and the probability to reach stage II palliations. RESULTS A total of 130 patients were evaluated, including 49 ductus stenting and 81 SPSs. The most frequent primary diagnosis was tricuspid atresia in 27, followed by pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum in 19 patients. There was comparable hospital mortality (2.0% stent vs 3.7% surgery, P = 0.91) between the groups, but shorter intensive care unit stay (median 1 vs 7 days, P