OBJECTIVE: To compare the haemodynamics and perioperative course of initial palliation with bilateral pulmonary artery banding (PAB) and the Norwood procedure. METHODS: Between April 2004 and December 2007, 43 consecutive children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) or a variant underwent initial palliation (PAB, n=18; Norwood, n=25). Clinical perioperative data were analysed. In the PAB group, lipo-prostaglandin E1 administration was continued with hospitalisation until stage 2 palliation with a bi-directional Glenn shunt and the Norwood procedure. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the age and operative weight of patients who received stage 1 palliation (PAB, 12+/-9 days, 2.7+/-0.6 kg; Norwood, 12+/-8 days, 2.8+/-0.4 kg). The PAB group had more high-risk patients than the Norwood group (PAB, 83%; Norwood, 48%, p=0.04). Increased early and inter-stage mortality were observed in patients who underwent the Norwood procedure (early mortality with PAB, 6% vs Norwood, 12%; inter-stage mortality, 6% vs 27%, respectively). Mortality between stages 1 and 2 was 11% for the PAB group and 36% for the Norwood group. The Kaplan-Meier survival estimate at 1 year did not differ between groups (77% for the PAB group, 64% for the Norwood group). Ductal stenosis was found in one patient in the PAB group during the follow-up period. Twenty-eight patients underwent stage 2 reconstruction, and the patients in the PAB group were younger at the time of surgery (PAB, 116 days; Norwood, 224 days). There were no significant differences between groups in pulmonary artery index regarding body surface area (BSA) (PAB, 179 mm(2)BSA(-1); Norwood, 194 mm(2)BSA(-1)) and the incidence of ventricular dysfunction after stage 2 construction (PAB, 21%; Norwood, 21%). CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral PAB with continuous lipo-prostaglandin E1 administration may improve early and intermediate mortality in infants with HLHS. Intimate care with hospitalisation may contribute to the results.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the haemodynamics and perioperative course of initial palliation with bilateral pulmonary artery banding (PAB) and the Norwood procedure. METHODS: Between April 2004 and December 2007, 43 consecutive children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) or a variant underwent initial palliation (PAB, n=18; Norwood, n=25). Clinical perioperative data were analysed. In the PAB group, lipo-prostaglandin E1 administration was continued with hospitalisation until stage 2 palliation with a bi-directional Glenn shunt and the Norwood procedure. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the age and operative weight of patients who received stage 1 palliation (PAB, 12+/-9 days, 2.7+/-0.6 kg; Norwood, 12+/-8 days, 2.8+/-0.4 kg). The PAB group had more high-risk patients than the Norwood group (PAB, 83%; Norwood, 48%, p=0.04). Increased early and inter-stage mortality were observed in patients who underwent the Norwood procedure (early mortality with PAB, 6% vs Norwood, 12%; inter-stage mortality, 6% vs 27%, respectively). Mortality between stages 1 and 2 was 11% for the PAB group and 36% for the Norwood group. The Kaplan-Meier survival estimate at 1 year did not differ between groups (77% for the PAB group, 64% for the Norwood group). Ductal stenosis was found in one patient in the PAB group during the follow-up period. Twenty-eight patients underwent stage 2 reconstruction, and the patients in the PAB group were younger at the time of surgery (PAB, 116 days; Norwood, 224 days). There were no significant differences between groups in pulmonary artery index regarding body surface area (BSA) (PAB, 179 mm(2)BSA(-1); Norwood, 194 mm(2)BSA(-1)) and the incidence of ventricular dysfunction after stage 2 construction (PAB, 21%; Norwood, 21%). CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral PAB with continuous lipo-prostaglandin E1 administration may improve early and intermediate mortality in infants with HLHS. Intimate care with hospitalisation may contribute to the results.