[Initial analysis of the use of the L-D-Hydro (Eato L-D-Hydro) organic tubular graft for performing the modified Blalock-Taussig procedure in congenital heart diseases with decreased pulmonary blood flow].

OBJECTIVE To analyze the initial results of the use of an organic tubular graft for systemic-pulmonary anastomoses. METHODS From March 2002 to April 2003, 10 patients underwent systemic-pulmonary shunt of the modified Blalock-Taussig type, using a new type of biological graft originating from the bovine mesenteric artery treated with polyglycol, the so-called L-D-Hydro. The patients' ages ranged from 3 days to 7 years, and 60% of them were of the male sex. The diagnoses of heart disease were determined on echocardiography. All patients had clinical signs of severe hypoxia (cyanosis). The heart diseases were as follows: tetralogy of Fallot (40%), tricuspid atresia (50%), and atrioventricular septal defect (10%). RESULTS One patient died due to sepsis and 9 had an immediate improvement in O2 saturation on pulse oximetry and in the partial oxygen pressure on arterial blood gas analysis. The intensive care unit length of stay ranged from 2 to 6 days. No patient had obstruction of the shunt on the immediate postoperative period or any other complication. All patients had a patent shunt on the echocardiographic studies performed in the immediate postoperative period and later, in the third postoperative month. No bleeding occurred during surgery or in the postoperative period. CONCLUSION The tubular L-D-Hydro graft proved to be promising for performing systemic-pulmonary shunt as an alternative for the inorganic products available in the market, however, we need a greater number of implantations and late follow-up for definitive assessment.