Pulmonary hypertension associated with vein of Galen malformation. Fetal cardiac hemodynamic findings and physiological considerations

We present a dissection of the patent ductus arteriosus and pulmonary artery for surgical repair utilising cardiopulmonary bypass in the setting of vein of Galen malformation. Several strategies were employed to attenuate the cerebral shunt including pH-stat, high cardiac index, restrictive venous drainage, continuous ventilation and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. The patient recovered from surgery with no apparent neurological sequelae.

Abstract A 12-day-old infant in intractable cardiac failure due to a vein of Galen malformation was treated successfully with serial ligation of the majority of the vessels feeding the malformation. Despite some residual vascular supply to the malformation, the congestive heart failure has disappeared and growth and development have been normal over a 3-year follow-up period.