Balloon dilatation of systemic to pulmonary arterial shunts in children

Current evidence on the safety and efficacy of balloon dilatation of systemic to pulmonary arterial shunts in children appears adequate to support the use of this procedure, provided that the normal arrangements are in place for consent, audit and clinical governance.

The procedure should only be undertaken in specialist paediatric cardiology units.

The National Institute for Cardiovascular Outcomes Research runs the UK Central Cardiac Audit Database (UKCCAD) and clinicians are encouraged to enter all patients into this database.