[Blalock-Taussig shunt and pulmonary artery angioplasty for isolated unilateral absence of the right pulmonary artery; report of a case].
A 7-month-old girl was referred to us for further examination of absence of the right pulmonary artery. She had no symptom at that time. Diagnosis was made by chest computed tomography (CT) and cardiac catheterization. Though the size of the right pulmonary artery was not apparent, right pulmonary vein wedge angiography revealed the distal portion of right pulmonary artery sufficient for surgical repair. But the distance between the pulmonary trunk and right pulmonary artery was too far to perform direct anastomosis, and some systemic collaterals had already been recognized. Pulmonary vasculature was also not inadequate. Therefore we planned a palliative procedure. At the age of 7 months, right modified Blalock-Tausig shunt using 5mm expand-polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) tube and angioplasty of the distal portion of right pulmonary artery using autologous pericardium roll with Dacron mesh was performed. Postoperative course was uneventful. She has been followed up for 6 months after the palliation. In the near future the completion of the definitive repair will be considered.