Sternotomy versus Mini-Sternotomy in Pediatric Patients undergoing Modified Blalock-Taussig Shunt

Abstract

In the present era, primary correction is the preferred approach to the neonate or young infant with a cardiac anomaly who has two ventricles. However, when only one functional ventricle is present or pulmonary blood flow is reduced, an initial palliative systemic-to-pulmonary arterial shunt is mandatory. The shunt should not supply excessive pulmonary blood flow that might result in elevated pulmonary vascular resistance or impair ventricular performance secondary to excessive volume load. The shunt should not distort the pulmonary arteries particularly distally and it should encourage uniform growth and development of the pulmonary arteries.