Introduction

A BT Shunt (Blalock-Taussig Shunt) is a life-saving palliative surgical procedure used to improve blood oxygen levels in infants and children born with certain types of congenital heart defects—particularly cyanotic heart conditions like Tetralogy of Fallot or pulmonary atresia. The surgery creates a temporary connection between a systemic artery and the pulmonary artery to increase blood flow to the lungs and improve oxygenation.

At Innayat Medical, we connect you with India’s top pediatric cardiac surgeons and internationally accredited hospitals, ensuring your child receives expert care, advanced surgical techniques, and compassionate support—all at a fraction of the cost compared to Western countries.

More Information

The BT Shunt is often used as a temporary solution for newborns or infants who are not yet ready for a complete heart repair. It stabilizes the child by improving oxygen saturation and allowing them to grow stronger for future corrective surgery.

Conditions Treated with BT Shunt:

• Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)
• Pulmonary Atresia
• Tricuspid Atresia
• Other complex cyanotic congenital heart defects

How the Procedure Works:

• A synthetic tube (usually made of Gore-Tex) is placed between a major artery (subclavian or innominate) and the pulmonary artery.
• This allows more blood to reach the lungs for oxygenation.
• Surgery is done under general anesthesia and requires a short hospital stay for recovery.