Pulmonary artery banding is a palliative intervention for congenital heart defects with increased pulmonary blood flow. What is its main effect?

• A. Increases pulmonary blood flow
• B. Reduces systemic venous return
• C. Reduces excessive pulmonary blood flow
• D. Improves right ventricular contractility

Answer: (C)

Pulmonary artery banding works by limiting blood flow to the lungs in conditions where there’s too much pulmonary circulation. A constrictive band around the main pulmonary artery increases the resistance the right ventricle must pump against, which reduces the amount of blood that reaches the pulmonary vessels. This dampens pulmonary overcirculation and helps prevent pulmonary edema and vascular damage, buying time for palliation or definitive repair later. It doesn’t raise pulmonary blood flow, doesn’t change systemic venous return, and doesn’t directly boost right ventricular contractility.