Percutaneous implantation of a pulmonary valve in 3 children with surgically corrected cardiac anomalies
Bökenkamp, R.; Hazekamp, M.G.; Schalij, M.J.; Clur, S.A.B.; Ottenkamp, J.; Blom, N.A.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 151(46): 2580-2585
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-2162 PMID: 18074730 Document Number: 612991
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.