Transluminal angioplasty in total anomalous drainage of obstructed pulmonary veins. A case report

: Transluminal balloon angioplasty has been successfully used in the treatment of various congenital heart diseases, specially in pulmonary valve stenosis. Dilation angioplasty has also been used in venous obstructions in children, but the results have been contradictory. This report describes the case of a three-month-old female infant with obstructed total anomalous pulmonary venous return into the right superior vena cava. Percutaneous angioplasty was performed with two 4 mm diameter balloon catheters (Simpson Ultra Low Profile), with success. Right ventricular systolic pressure decreased from 68 to 49 mmHg and mean pulmonary vein pressure decreased from 41 to 17 mmHg. There was significant clinical improvement. Although it would be an unique experience in our Department, authors suggest that transluminal balloon angioplasty could be an initial therapeutic alternative in infants with obstructive total anomalous pulmonary venous return, a high-risk group for total surgical repair.