Hybrid Approach: Stent Implantation

Abstract

Hybrid therapies that involve the cooperation between cardiothoracic surgeon and interventional cardiologist have increased significantly over the last 10 years [1]. A CCISC survey conducted by Dan Gruenstein 2 years ago documented that almost 75 % of centers were placing intraoperative stents using a hybrid approach. Most intraoperative stents are placed in the pulmonary arteries and a variety of articles have reported on institutional experiences of intraoperative stent therapy [1, 3]. While surgical patch angioplasty has often been considered the “gold standard,” results have frequently been disappointing, resulting in the need to evaluate other treatment modalities, such as hybrid therapy.