Successful Treatment of a Stenotic Pulmonary Vein to Left Atrium Conduit With a Drug-Eluting Stent

Abstract

Partial anomaly of the pulmonary venous return is a rare congenital condition treated with surgical redirection of the blood flow through the creation of a conduit to the left atrium. We report the case of a stenotic pulmonary vein to left atrium conduit successfully treated with the implantation of a drug-eluting stent. Pulmonary vein or conduit stenosis is generally treated with balloon dilation or bare-metal stent but is often met with underwhelming outcomes. Given the successful outcome of the case presented, drug-eluting stents may represent an attractive treatment option in suitable anatomies.

An Unusual Cause of Shortness of Breath

“… 6 Given increased rates of restenosis and reintervention as high as 40%, drug-eluting stents can be an attractive option as they can prevent intimal hyperplasia. 7 In cases where large-diameter stents can be implanted, as demonstrated in our patient, in-stent restenosis is less of a concern. Additionally, there have been several surgical procedures described to treat PVS, including reimplantation with direct anastomosis, stenotic excision, and “patchplasty.” 8 , 9 …”