Commentary: Keeping the reversed Potts shunt reversed: Insights from the fourth dimension

The Potts shunt is a palliative procedure designed to improve pulmonary blood flow in those with cyanotic heart disease; in its reversed form, it is now used to palliate patients with refractory pulmonary hypertension. Although the patient population is high risk, recent successful experiences by a handful of institutions has legitimized this approach, to the point where it may eclipse primary lung transplant in efficacy.1-3 Nevertheless, many questions remain unanswered about the reversed Potts shunt, including, When should it be implemented in the course of disease? How should it be performed (ie, sternotomy vs thoracotomy, main pulmonary artery vs left pulmonary artery, and direct anastomosis vs interposition graft)? Should it be unidirectional (ie, valved)? and, How should pulmonary vasodilators be used after shunt placement?
Source: The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery - Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Tags: Commentary Source Type: research