Successful palliation using partial cardiopulmonary bypass in a two-day-old infant with type B interruption of the aortic arch

Partial cardiopulmonary bypass from the pulmonary artery to the descending aorta was used successfully for resuscitation and aortic arch reconstruction in a 2 day old infant with type B interrupted aortic arch. Partial cardiopulmonary bypass interrupted the fatal progression to acidosis and death caused by hypoperfusion of structures distal to the ductus arteriosus in this 'ductus dependent' infant, and this approach provided time for an accurate dissection and anastomosis. The natural history, pathophysiology, and currently available surgical alternatives are considered in suggesting a possible role for partial bypass in the treatment interrupted aortic arch.