Refinements in the implantation of pulmonary arterial stents: impact on morbidity and mortality of the procedure over the last two decades

338 patients (mean age 12.2 years, mean weight 38 kg) undergoing pulmonary arterial stenting between September 1989 and July 2001. Includes patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (n=229), congenital stenosis of the branches of the pulmonary trunk (n=61), post-arterial switch operation (n=16), and post-Fontan operation (n=32).

Implantation of Palmaz stents (664 stents total) in pulmonary arteries, with technical refinements over time including conservative serial dilations, avoidance of over-dilation, simultaneous bilateral implantation, and use of shorter stents with improved balloon profiles.

Morbidity and mortality associated with the implantation of pulmonary arterial stentssafety