Results of aortopulmonary collateral arteries coil embolization in pre-fontan patients

Background: Aortopulmonary collateral arteries (APCAs) are common pulmonary blood supply in the group of congenital heart disease with functionally single ventricle. APCAs causes loss of aortic outflow, increase in pulmonary arterial hydrostatic pressure, reducing blood flow from the SVC and IVC to the pulmonary artery (in patients after Glenn and Fontan operations). Therefore, the closure of APCAs is vital in the management of single ventricle patients before and during Fontan operation. The technique of percutaneous APCAs occlusion with coils is a new, effective and better method of control of APCAs, excluding the need for surgical ligation of the APCAs.. Objectives: To evaluate results of aortopulmonary collateral arteries coil embolization  in pre-fontan patients Methods: This is the descriptive clinical and retrospective study Result: 29 patients with average age of 7.9 underwent cardiac catheterization with APCAs coil embolization successfully before the Fontan  surgery. Complication rate was very low. This method effectively reduced mean pulmonary artery pressure with statistical significance. The results of Fontan surgery of this group were better than that in other studies in the rate of diaphragmatic paralysis and chylous effusion Conclusions: The technique of percutaneous APCAs occlusion with coils before Fontan surgery is safe, effective in reducing mean pulmonary artery pressure and improving results of Fontan surgery.