Palliative stent placement in vertical vein in a 1.4 kg infant with obstructed supracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous connection

Temporary relief of obstructed total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) may stabilize the preoperative clinical status. We report a 1.4 kg infant with obstructed supracardiac TAPVC to right sided superior vena cava, double outlet right ventricle, pulmonary atresia, major aortopulmonary collateral arteries, and atrioventricular septal defect. A palliative percutaneous stent was successfully placed and resulted in immediate clinical improvement. We performed a review of literature regarding interventional procedures for relief of obstructed TAPVC and found 17 cases including stent placement (13), balloon angioplasty (3), and Hybrid procedure (1). We conclude that temporary stent placement in obstructed TAPVC is feasible and efficacious in relieving pulmonary venous obstruction. The procedure can lead to subsequent surgical repair in a more favorable clinical status and has special significance in the low birth weight infant.