The modified blalock-taussig shunt using microporous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

From May 1977 to February 1981, 36 modified Blalock-Taussig shunts were performed in 34 patients for a variety of cyanotic congenital cardiac lesions. Microporous expanded PTFE was utilised as a conduit between the subclavian artery and the ipsilateral pulmonary artery. Graft diameter was 4 mm in 15 cases, 6 mm in 17 cases, and 8 mm in the remaining 4. Age at time of operation ranged from one day to 22 years. Fourteen shunts were performed in infants less than one year old. Overall operative mortality was 5.5 per cent. There were 6 shunt failures (16.6%) and all were the smallest diameter graft. Overall actuarial shunt survival at 2 years was 81.2 per cent. This shunt has all the advantages of the original Blalock-Taussig procedure. In addition, it preserves the integrity of the subclavian artery and minimizes the technical problems associated with the classical shunt. It is the procedure of choice at our hospital.