Percutaneous intraluminal downsizing of systemic‐to‐pulmonary artery shunts: a novel application of the Diabolo stent technique—Case series and description of the technique

Objective This article aims to describe the feasibility of a novel application of the Diabolo stent technique for percutaneous downsizing of systemic‐to‐pulmonary artery shunts in patients with pulmonary overcirculation. Background Pulmonary overcirculation can lead to systemic hypoperfusion, impaired systemic oxygen delivery, and hemodynamic instability especially in patients with single‐ventricle physiology. Different medical and surgical strategies to treat pulmonary overcirculation have been reported so far, but no percutaneous approach amenable to further adjustment over time has been described. Methods Retrospective review of patients who underwent percutaneous intraluminal reduction of a systemic‐to‐pulmonary artery shunt with a covered stent in a Diabolo “hour‐glass” configuration. Results From July 2018 to February 4, 2019, consecutive patients underwent trans‐catheter downsizing of a systemic‐to‐pulmonary artery shunt. The median age was 3.3 years (range 0.7–5.7 years). All patients had symptomatic pulmonary overflow despite maximal medical therapy. All patients underwent successful implantation of a covered stent in a Diabolo “hour‐glass” configuration without any complications. Successful reduction in pulmonary overcirculation was noted in all patients with a decrease of mean pulmonary artery pressure from a median of 29 mmHg (range 25–32 mmHg) to a median of 21 mmHg (range 14–27 mmHg). Conclusions Percutaneous intraluminal downsizing of systemic‐to‐pulmonary artery shunts with a covered stent in a Diabolo configuration is safe and feasible. With this technique, the pulmonary blood flow can be adjusted in a physiologic closed‐chest condition and further regulated over time.