Percutaneous implantation of a pulmonary valve in 3 children with surgically corrected cardiac anomalies

• Published in: Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde Vol. 151; no. 46; p. 2580
• Main Authors: Bökenkamp, R, Hazekamp, M G, Schalij, M J, Clur, S A B, Ottenkamp, J, Blom, N A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Dutch
• Published: Netherlands 17.11.2007
• Subjects: Adolescent; Child; Female; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation - methods; Humans; Male; Pulmonary Artery; Pulmonary Atresia - complications; Pulmonary Atresia - surgery; Pulmonary Valve; Pulmonary Valve Insufficiency - complications; Pulmonary Valve Insufficiency - surgery; Stents; Tetralogy of Fallot - complications; Tetralogy of Fallot - surgery; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0028-2162

An 11-year-old girl, a 15-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl all underwent percutaneous implantation of a Melody pulmonary valve prosthesis to replace a stenotic and insufficient homograft in the pulmonary artery. Preoperatively, 2 of the children suffered from fatigue and dyspnoea on exertion The homografts had been implanted between the ages of 1-2, to establish surgical continuity between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. The anomalies were tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum and pulmonary atresia with a ventricular septum defect. Percutaneous pulmonary valve replacement was successful in all 3 patients. After implantation, right ventricular pressure decreased to 30% of systemic pressure and regurgitation was not observed. All patients were discharged in a good condition on the day after the implantation. Percutaneous pulmonary valve replacement is a promising technique with good short-term results. In selected patients this percutaneous technique can substitute or postpone the surgical replacement ofa stenotic or insufficient homograft.