Development of an Ovine Cardiac Model for the Modified Blalock-Thomas-Taussig Shunt

Abstract

This pilot study aimed to better describe the ovine thoracic vascular anatomy, to develop a model for placement of a modified Blalock-Thomas-Taussig (BT) shunt in sheep, and to evaluate whether hyaluronan-treated grafts would have decreased thrombosis and adherence compared to traditional polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts. Ovine thoracic vasculature follows the pattern of a bovine aortic arch and branching of arterial vascular does not occur until the thoracic inlet. A prominent left azygos vein and ligamentum arteriosum are also present. Placement of a modified BT-shunt was possible in sheep and did appear to lead to some long-term changes in cardiac values. Hyaluronan-treated shunts were subjectively less adherent with incomplete thrombosis occurring in the subjects. Further research is needed to better evaluate the latter two aims of this project.