Tricuspid atresia: hemodynamic and surgical considerations

Recently some patients with tricuspid atresia underwent physiological correction, as indicated by Fontan, as an alternative to classical procedures. The aims of the hemodynamic and contrastographic study are illustrated and exemplified, in view of the type of surgery. 49 patients underwent palliative operations: 47 shunts and 2 banding. The most frequent procedure was the Waterston shunt. The total mortality was 10.2%, but no deaths occurred after the third month of life. Finally, the future and the limits of "total" correction are discussed.