Novel materials and devices in the transcatheter creation of vascular anastomosis--the future comes slowly (part 2).

Completion of the total cavopulmonary connection and creation of the majority of vascular anastomoses are currently usually performed surgically. The major disadvantage of the surgical approach, however, is its invasiveness, as patients undergoing cardiac surgery generally need sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass - often with cardiac arrest - commonly resulting in a prolonged and complicated postoperative intensive care period. Transcatheter procedures, in contrast, have a lower risk of complications, shorter intensive care and total hospital stays, and do not need a cardiopulmonary bypass or sternotomy. The second part of our review focuses on new advances in transcatheter technology, which will allow safe and effective percutaneous management of patients requiring the creation of an intervascular anastomosis and completion of the total cavopulmonary connection. It will create a therapeutic alternative able to reduce the surgical burden on this group of patients.