[Experience of implantation of prefitted Palmaz Corinthian stents].

We report our recent experience with the Palmaz Corinthian stent in children. Since 1/10/01 to 1/11/02 we implanted 18 Palmaz Corinthian stents in 12 children. Median age and weight of patients were 5.6 years (range 0.25-13) and 17.9 kg (range 3-36), respectively. Primary diagnosis were: pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (n = 7), complex transposition of the great arteries (n = 2) and others (n = 3). Indications to stent implantation were: pulmonary branches stenosis (n = 9), stenosis of the ductus arteriosus (n = 1), stenosis of systemic veins (n = 2). All stents were pre-mounted and co-axially advanced over a standard guidewire across the stenotic site, using a 6F short introducer. Stent deployment was performed by hand inflation of the balloon. Final angiography confirmed correct positioning and ruled out complications. Median fluoroscopy time was 18 minutes (range 12-56). All stents reached their nominal diameter; 2 were post-dilated to 125 and 150%. No procedural complications occurred. Despite the impossibility of distal injection, stent positioning was always correct. In conclusion, due to the availability of pre-mounted stents, and the need of short 6F sheaths, the use of the Palmaz Corinthian stent in children is relatively simple. Primary results are generally good in terms of adequate delivery and absence of complications. However, the impossibility of distal injection makes more difficult the choice of the deployment site. Due to the limited possibility of over-dilation, the use of this stent has to be limited to the stenosis of peripheral pulmonary branches or to lesions that can be surgically treated during further surgical procedures.