Novel uses of the Rashkind ductal umbrella in adults and children with congenital heart disease.

OBJECTIVE To show possible alternative uses of the Rashkind ductal umbrella. DESIGN Descriptive study of selected, non-randomised patients; with specific congenital heart lesions other than an arterial duct. SETTING A tertiary referral centre. PATIENTS Nine patients with congenital heart lesions; four with interatrial communications after a fenestrated Fontan procedure two with large aortopulmonary collaterals, three with an unoperated ventricular septal defect. INTERVENTIONS Placement of a Rashkind umbrella occluder as treatment for a haemodynamically important lesion. RESULTS Successful placement with symptomatic and haemodynamic improvement in all. CONCLUSIONS The Rashkind ductal umbrella may be used successfully to treat some patients with aortopulmonary collateral vessels, ventricular septal defects, and interatrial communications after the fenestrated Fontan procedure.