63-year survival after Blalock-Taussig shunt operation in a patient with single ventricle, tricuspid atresia, and pulmonary stenosis.

A 63-year-old female with complex congenital heart disease underwent a classical Blalock-Taussig ( B-T) shunt operation at the age of 3 years in 1948. The cardiac morphology was not amenable to further definite surgical repair in that period of time. With this palliative operation, the patient survived to the age of 63 years and now presented with exercise intolerance and significant desaturation. Cardiac catheterization with angiography revealed a severe stenosis of the B-T shunt at the pulmonary end. Balloon dilation and stent implantation could be performed successfully. Follow-up after 5 months showed a patent B-T shunt and an increase of oxygen saturation from 65% to 80% and mild improvement of pulmonary blood flow and exercise tolerance.