An Unusual Late Complication of Pulmonary Artery Banding

Abstract

A previously unrecognized late complication of pulmonary artery banding is reported in detail. Twenty-two mo. following an apparently successful banding procedure, severe cyanosis and syncope with exercise developed in a 27-month old child. Cine angiocardiography disclosed a large filling defect in the main pulmonary artery proximal to the band. At surgery a 2 cm thrombus was found which almost completely occluded the pulmonary artery. The thrombus appeared to have originated from the damaged endothelium beneath the band. The child did not survive attempted surgical correction.