Pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum

Opinion statement The prognosis for patients with pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum is poor with and without conventional surgical treatment. Because of this reason, a comprehensive program of medical, transcatheter, and surgical treatment is necessary to improve the long-term outlook of these infants. Algorithms of management plans should be developed based on the presence of right ventricular-dependent coronary circulation as well as size and morphology of the right ventricle. In a tripartite or bipartite right ventricle, transcatheter radiofrequency perforation is preferable. Alternatively, surgical valvotomy may be performed. Augmentation of pulmonary blood flow by prolonged infusion of prostaglandin E₁, stenting the ductus, or a surgical modified Blalock-Taussig shunt may be necessary in some of these patients. In patients with a unipartite or very small right ventricle or a right ventricular-dependent coronary circulation (Tricuspid valve Z score < -2.5), augmentation of pulmonary flow along with atrial septostomy should be undertaken. Follow-up studies to determine the feasibility of biventricular repair should be undertaken and, if feasible, surgical or transcatheter methods may be used to achieve the goals. If not suitable for biventricular repair, one-ventricle (Fontan) or one and one-half ventricular repair should be considered. Comprehensive and well-planned treatment algorithms may help improve survival rate.