부산대학교 도서관

Interventional balloon catheterization is now a common procedure for correcting narrow or blocked blood vessels. The procedure involves inserting a balloon into the vessel and inflating the balloon in the constricted area to open it up. This procedure is used for vessels that have been clogged from atherosclerotic disease, as well as for certain congenital (born with) abnormalities. Complications of this procedure can occur when it is used to treat congenital heart defects in infants and children. The results from 160 cardiac balloon dilation procedures performed on 10 neonates, 16 infants, and 134 children were examined. Complications were classified as either major or minor and occurred in 39 (24 percent) of the patients. There were 27 major complications with three deaths; 21 minor complications were reported. Complications occurred more frequently in younger patients, with 70 percent of the neonates experiencing complications, 44 percent of the infants, and 19 percent of the children. The nature of the problem was important in predicting complications. A much higher rate of complications was associated with coarcted aortas (constricted aortas) than with abnormal pulmonary valves (53 percent vs 7 percent). The results showed a high rate of complications, particularly with younger patients, although many of the complications posed no long-term effects. Mortality was comparable to that from surgery, but this rate should decrease with improvements in equipment and operator techniques. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)