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| The '''Blalock-Taussig shunt''' is a surgical procedure to give palliation to ]s which are common causes of (]). In modern surgery, this |
The '''Blalock-Taussig shunt''' is a surgical procedure to give palliation to ]s which are common causes of (]). In modern surgery, this procedure is used is to secure blood flow to the lungs and relieve cyanosis while the infant is waiting for corrective surgery. | ||
| One branch of the ] (Arteria subclavia) or ] (Arteria carotis) is separated and connected with the ] (Arteria pulmonalis). The ] receives more blood with low ] from the body. The first area of application was ]. Usually the left arm of the baby grows normally after that procedure. | One branch of the ] (Arteria subclavia) or ] (Arteria carotis) is separated and connected with the ] (Arteria pulmonalis). The ] receives more blood with low ] from the body. The first area of application was ]. Usually the left arm of the baby grows normally after that procedure. | ||
Revision as of 04:40, 24 August 2006
The Blalock-Taussig shunt is a surgical procedure to give palliation to cyanotic heart defects which are common causes of (blue baby syndrome). In modern surgery, this procedure is used is to secure blood flow to the lungs and relieve cyanosis while the infant is waiting for corrective surgery.
One branch of the subclavian artery (Arteria subclavia) or carotid artery (Arteria carotis) is separated and connected with the pulmonary artery (Arteria pulmonalis). The lung receives more blood with low oxygenation from the body. The first area of application was tetralogy of Fallot. Usually the left arm of the baby grows normally after that procedure.
The procedure is no longer in use in its original form. Now a length of artificial tubing, 3 to 4 millimeters in diameter is sewn between either a subclavian or carotid artery and the corresponding side branch of the pulmonary artery, thus obliviating the need to cut off blood supply and making it easier to regulate the blood flow to the lungs.
The original procedure was named for Alfred B. Blalock, surgeon, Baltimore, (1899-1964) and Helen B. Taussig, cardiologist, Baltimore/Boston, (1898-1986) who, along with technician Vivien Thomas (1910-1985), developed the procedure. Taussig got the idea from the observation that children with a cyanotic heart defect and a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) lived longer than those without the PDA. The shunt thus mimicks the function of a PDA.
Some centers now use a shunt directly from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery, a Sano shunt. This is to avoid the reduced diastolic blood flow in the coronary circulation associated with the Blalock-Taussig shunt.
Despite the name of the Blalock-Taussig shunt, some believe that Vivien Thomas should have also received credit for the creation and implementation of this shunt, as it was largely his invention. However, because of the racial prejudicies of the time, he did not receive the honor of having the shunt named for him. The television movie Something the Lord Made was made about his story.
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