The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Sep 1992
Comparative StudyThe influence of pulmonary artery banding on outcome after the Fontan operation.
Thirty-eight patients were selected from a total of 120 patients who underwent the Fontan operation between 1974 and 1988. They were classified into two groups. Group 1 consisted of 18 patients with previous pulmonary artery banding at a mean age of 7 months (2 days to 59 months), and group 2 comprised 20 patients with native pulmonary stenosis. ⋯ The remaining parameters were not statistically different between the two groups. We conclude that the significant increment in ventricular mass after pulmonary artery banding may represent a risk for unfavorable outcome after the Fontan operation, which increases with time. Therefore, long-standing pulmonary artery banding as a palliative procedure for candidates for the Fontan operation should be avoided.