Stenting and overdilating small Gore-Tex vascular grafts in complex congenital heart disease

Background: Gore-Tex^® grafts are integral in the management of congenital heart disease. Issues of graft stenosis or somatic outgrowth may precipitate high-risk early surgery, and catheter intervention is a relatively under-reported management option.

Objectives: To assess efficacy, safety, and outcomes of stenting and overdilating small Gore-Tex^® vascular grafts with the aim of optimizing surgical timing.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of single-center, 13-year experience of 93 graft stenting interventions or reintervention in 80 patients, with the aim of relieving stenosis ± overdilation, to depose surgical graft revision or optimize surgical timing and candidacy.

Results: Median preintervention graft diameter was 52% (IQR 43-63) of nominal size, postintervention this increased to median 102% (IQR 96-120) [P < 0.001]. Overdilation was achieved in 54%; of these, the median final internal lumen was 126% (IQR 113-132) [P < 0.001]. Mean oxygen saturations increased from 69% to 82% [P < 0.001]. Adverse event rate was 14.9%; this includes mortality (3.2%) and atrioventricular conduction block (8.5%). Univariate analysis and logistic regression showed a significant relationship between adverse events and young age [P < 0.01], low weight [P < 0.01], univentricular physiology [P < 0.001], use of femoral venous access alone [P = 0.03], and intervention on a right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit [P = 0.03]. Within respective indication groups, 74% were bridged to elective cavopulmonary shunt, 95% were bridged to biventricular surgery, and 78% of long-term palliative care patients continue under follow-up.

Conclusions: Gore-Tex^® vascular grafts can be stented effectively and expanded beyond nominal diameters by around +26%. This improves oxygen saturations, providing excellent palliation and optimized surgical timing. Adverse events are most frequent in precavopulmonary shunt patients.

Condensed abstract: Gore-Tex^® grafts are widely used in the palliation of cyanotic congenital heart disease. Grafts may become stenosed and do not allow for somatic growth. Over a 13 year period, graft stenting was performed in 80 patients (93 technically successful interventions, 4 unsuccessful.) Median internal lumen change was +50% (of nominal graft size), mean oxygen saturation change +13%. Over-dilation was performed in more than half of the cohort, with a median gain of +26% on nominal graft size. In precavopulmonary shunt patients, there was a moderate incidence of serious complications. Clinically useful deferral of surgery was achieved for the majority.