ABSTRACT
Introduced in 1945, the Blalock-Taussig shunt in its modified form has become a standard part of palliation for cyanotic heart defects. As neonatal and infant open-heart procedures have been refined, the use of the Blalock-Taussig shunt or other interim systemic-to-pulmonary shunts for many defects has given way to early complete anatomical repair. The role for the modified Blalock-Taussig shunt has become limited largely to short-term palliation in staged univentricular pathways.
