PHN Publications

Comparison of Shunt Types in the Norwood Procedure for Single-Ventricle Lesions (PDF), R. Ohye, N Engl J Med 2010; 362(21):1980-1992.

In children with a single heart ventricle undergoing the Norwood procedure , a trial was conducted to determine if one of two different shunts resulted in better survival after 12 months without the need for a heart transplant. Babies were randomly assigned to receive either the traditional modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (MBTS ) or the right ventricle- pulmonary artery (RV-PA) conduit . The study showed that babies who received the RV-PA conduit had better survival without needing a heart transplant 12 months after entering the study.  However, when the babies were followed for a longer period of time, there was no difference between the two groups.  The results also revealed that babies who received the RV-PA conduit needed more procedures and had more complications than those receiving the MBTS. 

Design and Rationale of a Randomized Trial Comparing the Blalock-Taussig and Right Ventricle-Pulmonary Artery Shunts in the Norwood Procedure (PDF), R. Ohye, J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2008; 136:968-975.

The first of the three surgeries (the Norwood procedure ) for babies born with a single heart ventricle is one of the highest risk procedures in congenital heart surgery. Two types of shunts (tubes) may be used for the first surgery: the traditional modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (MBTS ) and the right ventricle to pulmonary artery (RV-PA) shunt . Some research has shown one technique to be better than the other, but other research has shown no differences in the outcomes for each technique. This article describes a trial designed by the Pediatric Heart Network to compare the two types of shunts. In the study, babies were randomly assigned to receive either the MBTS or the RV-PA shunt, and they were followed over time to compare the outcomes.

The Modified Blalock-Taussig Shunt Versus the Right Ventricle-to-Pulmonary Artery Conduit for the Norwood Procedure (PDF), R. Ohye, Pediatr Cardiol 2007; 28:122-125.

Babies born with a single heart ventricle require multiple surgeries in order to provide adequate blood flow to the body. The first of the three surgeries is one of the highest risk procedures in congenital heart surgery. Two types of shunts (tubes) may be used for the first surgery: the traditional modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (MBTS ) and the right ventricle to pulmonary artery (RV-PA) shunt . This article explains the advantages and disadvantages of each shunt and the Pediatric Heart Network’s clinical trial to determine if one shunt type is better than another in this population. (see results of the PHN trial )