小儿复合先天性心脏病的介入治疗

目的:探讨小儿复合先天性心脏病(先心病)经导管介入治疗的策略及评价其疗效和安全性.方法:55例复合先心病患儿,先心病类型包括:肺动脉瓣狭窄(PS)合并房间隔缺损(ASD);PS合并动脉导管未闭(PDA);PS合并室间隔缺损(VSD);ASD合并PDA;ASD合并VSD;PDA合并VSD;室间隔完整的肺动脉闭锁(PA/IVS)合并PDA和卵圆孔未闭(PFO);主动脉瓣狭窄合并PDA;PDA合并肺隔离症.分别行射频打孔,经皮球囊肺动脉瓣成形术(PBPV),经皮球囊主动脉瓣成形术(PBAV),VSD封堵术,PDA封堵术,ASD封堵术,侧支血管堵塞术.结果:55例患儿经导管介入治疗均获得成功,术中未发生严重并发症,55例行介入堵闭均未见残余分流,堵闭器位置良好;30例行PBPV术,跨肺动脉瓣压差由术前平均(63.4±36.3)mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa),下降到术后平均(18.1±13.0)mmHg(P<0.01);1例行PBAV术,跨主动脉瓣压差由术前90 mmHg下降到术后50 mmHg;3例PA/IVS行射频打孔和PBPV术,术后肺动脉瓣开放满意,血氧饱和度维持良好.结论:复合先心病经导管介入治疗疗效确切、安全有效,但手术操作难度大,技术要求高,应该在较大心血管医院开展,并由有较丰富导管操作经验的医师施行.     

老年人经皮主动脉瓣成形术后缺乏持久临床改善

作者报告24例主动脉瓣狭窄(AS)患者25次经皮主动脉瓣成形术(PAV)的血流动力学及临床随访结果。方法:24例(女16,男8)年龄80(51.91)岁,均经临床、超声及心导管检查证实为严重AS。7Fr导管自一侧股动脉插入,通过主动脉瓣口进行测压和造影。球囊导管沿导丝插入,透视下将其明确定位(球囊长3、5.5、8cm,扩张后外径15、18,20mm)。4例初始扩张跨瓣压差未达到<40mmHg者,采用双球囊导管。手动注射器充盈,60～90秒内充盈1～6次。自另一侧股动脉插入5Fr导管至升主动脉瓣口上方监测动脉压。主动脉瓣口面积用面积计以平均左室-主动脉压差及Gorlin和Gorlin公式计算。     

经导管介入治疗复合型先天性心脏病八例分析

目的　研究复合型先天性心脏病经导管介入治疗策略并评价其疗效。方法　本文包括1997年 7月至 2 0 0 1年 10月共 8例适合经导管介入治疗的复合型先天性心脏病患儿 ,其中男 7例 ,女 1例 ,平均年龄 (5 0± 4 3)岁。复合类型为 :肺动脉瓣狭窄 (PS)伴动脉导管未闭 (PDA) 3例 ,房间隔缺损(ASD)伴PDA 2例 ,主动脉缩窄 (COA)伴主动脉瓣狭窄 (AS) 1例 ,COA伴PDA 2例。经导管介入治疗原则为 :PS伴PDA者 ,先行PS瓣膜成形术 ,然后堵塞PDA ;ASD伴PDA者 ,先后分别行PDA及ASD堵塞术 ;COA伴AS者 ,先行AS瓣膜成形术 ,然后再行COA血管成形术 ;COA伴PDA者 ,先行COA血管成形术 ,2个月以后再行PDA堵塞术 (PDA直径 3 5mm用AmplatzerPDA堵塞装置堵塞 ) ,或COA血管成形术与PDA堵塞术同时进行 (PDA直径 1 7mm用弹簧圈堵塞 )。小于 2 5mm的PDA用弹簧圈堵塞 ,大于等于 2 5mm的PDA用AmplatzerPDA堵塞装置堵塞。球囊 /瓣膜比 (或球囊 /缩窄段比 )、AmplatzerASD堵塞装置、AmplatzerPDA堵塞装置及弹簧圈大小的选择按常规。术后 1个月、3个月、6个月、1年 ,以后每年定期随访。结果　 8例复合型先天性心脏病患儿经导管介入治疗均获成功。术后即刻已堵塞之ASD及PDA均无残余分流 ,跨肺动脉瓣压差由术前的 (95 0± 34 6 )mmHg (1mmHg=     

特殊的动脉导管未闭的封堵术

目的探讨特殊的动脉导管未闭(PDA)封堵术的方法和疗效.方法 1995年2月至2002年2月应用可回收弹簧圈及Amplazer封堵器成功治疗了321例各种PDA,其中51例为特殊的PDA,分别为PDA合并肺动脉狭窄(PS)3例、合并主动脉缩窄(COA)3例、合并房间隔缺损(ASD)2例、合并主动脉瓣狭窄(AS)3例、合并纠正性大动脉转位(L-TGA)1例、右位主动脉弓左位PDA合并迷走右锁骨下动脉1例、合并中度或中度以上二尖瓣关闭不全(MR)38例.治疗方法为同时应用球囊扩张和其他封堵技术治疗合并畸形.术后行心脏超声及临床检查随访.结果所有51例患者介入治疗术均获得成功.PDA直径为1.2～6.9 mm,平均直径为(3.0±1.2)mm,所有PDA中临床关闭(听诊无杂音)在出院时达100%,超声彩色多普勒检查在出院时无分流达100%.2例合并ASD者,在ASD堵塞后即刻也无残余分流.球囊扩张的AS、PS、COA随访疗效均良好.合并MR中,二尖瓣返流明显好转占92.1%(35/38).在平均3.8年随访中没有任何并发症.结论一些特殊的PDA或合并其它先天性心脏病组合可通过心导管介入技术来治愈.     

经导管同期治疗复合型先天性心脏病的疗效和安全性

目的:探讨经导管介入同期治疗复合型先天性心脏病的可行性、方法及疗效.方法:13例患者,男5例,女8例.其中房间隔缺损(ASD)合并肺动脉瓣狭窄6例,ASD合并动脉导管未闭(PDA)4例,ASD合并膜部室间隔缺损2例,PDA合并肺动脉瓣狭窄1例.ASD合并其他畸形的患者,均先治疗其他畸形,最后行ASD封堵.PDA合并肺动脉瓣狭窄者,先行肺动脉瓣狭窄球囊扩张术,最后封堵PDA.结果:13例患者均经导管一次治疗成功.ASD合并肺动脉瓣狭窄6例,跨肺动脉瓣压差由术前平均(138.3±41.4)mmHg下降到术后平均(12.0±5.6)mmHg,有显著性差异(P＜0.01).所用ASD封堵器直径为8～24 mm.ASD合并PDA4例,PDA最窄径2～5 mm,封堵器直径为6～8 mm;ASD封堵器直径为8～28 mm.ASD合并膜部室间隔缺损2例,室间隔缺损直径分别为3.5 mm和5.0 mm,用直径6 mm和8 mm的双盘状室间隔缺损封堵器封堵成功,所用ASD封堵器的直径为12 mm和18 mm.1例PDA合并轻度肺动脉瓣狭窄,用聚乙烯球囊扩张、PDA用4 mm封堵器治疗成功.结论:经导管介入同期治疗复合型先天性心脏病具有技术上的可行性、安全性和良好的治疗效果.     

应用国产封堵器介入治疗小儿动脉导管未闭的远期疗效

目的分析经导管国产封堵器治疗小儿动脉导管未闭（patent duetus arteriosus，PDA）远期随访资料，评价其远期疗效、安全性及影响疗效的因素。方法PDA患儿接受国产封堵器治疗302例，病例均随访至2006年12月，进行回顾性队列研究。结果PDA最窄处直径在2．0～16（4．1±1．3）mm，其中直径超过12mm10例（3．3％）。成功植入4／6～22／24mm大小的封堵器298例（98．6％）。完成了随访244例，随访率为81％，随访时间24～82个月。需要再次接受治疗4例（1．3％），其中接受介入治疗3例（0．9％），包括因残余分流而溶血2例；因封堵器移位接受外科治疗1例（0．3％）。1年和5年无事件发生率为98．0％。残余分流率在1d，1个月，6个月，12个月，24个月和36个月分别为10．4％，3．7％，2．1％，0．8％，0．5％和0。10例巨大PDA应用大型封堵器封堵成功。结论应用国产封堵器治疗小儿PDA远期疗效确切．安全性好。     

经皮二尖瓣狭窄球囊扩张术后心功能的超声评价

目的探讨经皮二尖瓣球囊扩张术（PBMV）治疗非单纯性二尖瓣狭窄（MS）的效果。方法使用超声心动图检测65例单纯性MS，MS合并轻、中度二尖瓣关闭不全（MR）和MS合并轻、中度主动脉瓣关闭不全（AR），3组患者PBMV术前及术后复查时，左室射血分数（LVEF）值和心脏房、室内径大小变化。结果3组PBMV后复查LVEF值较术前明显增大（P〈0．01）；左室内径与术前比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）；单纯性MS组和MS合并轻、中度AR组PBMV术后复查时左房内径比术前明显减小（P〈0．05）；MS合并轻、中度MR组PBMV术后左房内径与术前比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论非单纯性MS患者PBMV术后心功能有明显好转。     

小儿先天性主动脉瓣狭窄合并动脉导管未闭的血流动力学研究

目的：探讨小儿先天性主动脉瓣狭窄(AVS)合并动脉导管未闭(PDA)时的血流动力学特点,并为其合理治疗提供依据。方法：11例 AVS 合并 PDA 患儿中对9例在动脉导管未闭经 Amplatzer PDA occluder 关闭前后进行了完整的血流动力学研究,包括肺循环粗流量(Qp)、体循环血流量(Qs)、肺动脉压(Pp)、主动脉压(Ps)和相关心腔大血管压力测定及术前,术后二维多普勒超声血流速度及跨主动脉瓣收缩期压差(△P)等检测,临床和 X 线胸片等随访。结果：AVS 合并 PDA 时,当未闭动脉导管经介入法封闭后,左心室—主动脉间的△P 有显著降低,11例中仅1例实施了经皮主动脉瓣球囊扩张术(PBAV),术后3个月,6个月,1年随访,结果心脏明显缩小,△P 与术后即刻相仿。结论：AVS 合并 PDA 时,在封堵术关闭前所测定的代表瓣膜狭窄程度的△P 被明显高估,是否需要对主动脉瓣狭窄进行干预应该南动脉导管关闭后所测定的△P 来决定。     

介入治疗心脏复合畸形疗效及安全性研究

目的评估介入治疗心脏复合畸形的可行性,安全性及疗效。方法心脏复合畸形患者10（男6,女4）例,年龄5～53岁。其中房间隔缺损（ASD）并发肺动脉瓣狭窄（PS）2例、室间隔缺损（VSD）2例和动脉导管未闭（PDA）1例,PDA并发主动脉瓣关闭不全和PS各1例;VSD修补术后遗留ASD2例,ASD修补术后遗留PDA1例和刀刺伤致左室前侧术后遗留VSD1例。ASD或PDA并发PS者,先扩张肺动脉瓣,再行ASD或PDA封堵治疗。ASD并发VSD者,先封堵VSD,再封堵ASD。结果10例患者介入手术均1次成功。5例ASD封堵器的直径为8～38mm,2例膜部对称性VSD封堵器的直径为14mm和6mm,1例用10mm肌部VSD封堵器。2例PDA均用弹簧圈封堵。封堵PDA或VSD后造影无残余分流。封堵ASD后超声心动图示无残余分流。3例并发PS者,肺动脉瓣扩张术后即刻肺动脉跨瓣压差明显下降,由术前50、38、40mmHg分别降低为20、15和21mmHg。有1例PDA封堵弹簧圈脱落至肺动脉远端未能取出。随访1年肺功能正常,无肺不张。全部患者随访3个月～1年,无任何并发症发生。结论经导管介入治疗心脏复合畸形安全可行,近期疗效肯定。     

同期介入治疗先天性心脏病复合畸形30例的疗效观察

目的探讨经导管同期介入治疗先天性心脏病复合畸形的方法及疗效。方法先心病复合畸形30例,男性14例,女性16例,平均年龄（17．9±13．5）岁,平均体重（38．8±22．0）kg。复合类型为：房间隔缺损（ASD）并动脉导管未闭（PDA）7例,ASD并室间隔缺损（VSD）10例,ASD并肺动脉瓣狭窄（PS）6例,VSD并PDA5例,PDA并PS1例,VSD并PDA并ASD1例。经导管治疗原则：先行瓣膜球囊扩张术纠正瓣膜狭窄,其次行VSD封堵术,再行PDA封堵术,最后行ASD封堵术,可根据具体情况相应调整。术后2d、1个月、3个月、6个月、1年复查超声心动图及心电图。结果30例复合型先天性心脏病患者均一次治疗成功。7例合并PS患者,跨肺动脉瓣压差由术前（46．1±15．1）mmHg下降到术后（17．6±3．8）mmHg（P〈0．01）,1例室间隔缺损术后心电图提示不完全右束支传导阻滞,1例室间隔缺损术后心电图提示完全右束支传导阻滞,1例室间隔缺损术后心电图提示不完全左束支传导阻滞,给予地塞米松治疗后,心电图复查正常。1例VSD并ASD患者术前心电图提示双束支传导阻滞,术后观察10d仍存在,给予置人心脏永久起搏器。2例VSD并PDA患者术后超声心动图提示心室水平微量分流,6个月时随访分流消失。所有患者随访无不良并发症发生。结论对先天性心脏病复合畸形,严格掌握介人治疗适应证,选择正确的操作顺序和方法,可以取得良好的效果。     

Intermediate-term effectiveness of balloon valvuloplasty for congenital aortic stenosis. A prospective follow-up study.

BACKGROUND. Percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty has proven to be acutely effective in the treatment of congenital valvar aortic stenosis; however, the intermediate- and long-term effectiveness of the procedure remain to be documented. METHODS AND RESULTS. To assess the intermediate-term effectiveness of balloon valvuloplasty, repeat catheterization was performed in 27 of 30 children 1.7 +/- 0.1 years after balloon valvuloplasty for congenital aortic stenosis (AS). In 33 children the peak AS gradient was reduced acutely by 55% from 77 +/- 4 to 35 +/- 3 mm Hg (p less than 0.001), and left ventricular systolic pressure was reduced from 176 +/- 4 to 138 +/- 4 mm Hg (p less than 0.001). Despite a technically adequate valvuloplasty procedure, three patients had inadequate relief of obstruction and required complex surgical intervention. Twenty-seven of the 30 patients available for late reevaluation (90%) enrolled in the follow-up study. The peak AS gradient remained significantly reduced compared with that present before valvuloplasty (29 +/- 3 versus 77 +/- 4 mm Hg, p less than 0.001). Furthermore, there was no difference in peak AS gradient at follow-up compared with that immediately after valvuloplasty. The greatest increase in gradient at reevaluation was 14 mm Hg. Twenty of 27 patients (74%) had no change in the degree of aortic insufficiency at follow-up compared with that present before valvuloplasty. At follow-up, 16 patients had no aortic insufficiency at all, and only two had moderate-to-severe (3-4+) insufficiency. Femoral artery injury was documented in four patients, three of whom were under 12 months of age at valvuloplasty. CONCLUSIONS. Balloon aortic valvuloplasty provides safe and effective intermediate-term gradient relief without early restenosis in children and adolescents with congenital AS.     

Doppler evaluation of results of percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty in calcific aortic stenosis

To evaluate the short-term results of percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty, 55 consecutive elderly patients with symptomatic, severe aortic stenosis who were at high risk for surgical intervention underwent the procedure, with follow-up by clinical evaluation and Doppler echocardiography. Over a mean follow-up of 6.2 months, there were three early deaths (less than 30 days) and eight late deaths. Nine patients underwent subsequent aortic valve surgery, and four had repeat balloon valvuloplasty. Doppler echocardiography revealed a reduction in aortic valve mean gradient from 48 +/- 18 to 33 +/- 12 mm Hg after the procedure (p less than 0.0001) but a return to 46 +/- 16 mm Hg at follow-up (p less than 0.05). The aortic valve area increased from 0.54 +/- 0.15 to 0.85 +/- 0.23 cm2 after the procedure (p less than 0.0001), but there was a significant decrease to 0.67 +/- 0.19 cm2 at follow-up (p less than 0.05). Of patients free of aortic valve operation or death after 30 days after the procedure, 76% were severely symptomatic before the procedure as compared with 38% at follow-up. In patients undergoing percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty, there is a continued high short-term mortality and a significant incidence of restenosis over short-term follow-up. Nonetheless, a subset of patients do experience sustained clinical improvement from this procedure.     

Comparison of single and double balloon valvuloplasty in children with aortic stenosis

To compare the effectiveness of the single and double balloon techniques, the short-term results of percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty were assessed in two consecutive groups of children with valvular aortic stenosis. In 16 children (aged 3 months to 17 years) the single balloon technique was utilized; the ratio of balloon diameter to valve anulus diameter was 0.96 +/- 0.03 (mean +/- SEM). In 11 children (aged 3 months to 21 years) the double balloon technique was utilized in which two balloons are positioned across the valve and inflated simultaneously; the ratio of the balloon diameter sum to valve anulus diameter was 1.32 +/- 0.05. The groups were similar in age, weight, cardiac output, prevalvuloplasty gradient and valve anulus diameter. Overall, valvuloplasty reduced the peak systolic gradient by 53% from 80 +/- 4 to 38 +/- 3 mm Hg (p less than 0.0001). In the single balloon group the gradient decreased from 82 +/- 6 to 46 +/- 4 mm Hg (p less than 0.0001), whereas in the double balloon group the gradient decreased from 76 +/- 5 to 26 +/- 4 mm Hg (p less than 0.0001). The peak systolic gradient after valvuloplasty was 43% lower in the double balloon group (p less than 0.01). Furthermore, the single balloon technique reduced the gradient by an average of 43% compared with a 67% reduction with the double balloon technique (p less than 0.001). The short-term complications of valvuloplasty were similar, with an increase in aortic insufficiency occurring in three children in each group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Twenty-five year experience with balloon aortic valvuloplasty for congenital aortic stenosis

Balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) is the primary therapy for congenital aortic stenosis (AS). Few reports describe long-term outcomes. In this study, a retrospective single-institution review was performed of patients who underwent BAV for congenital AS. The following end points were evaluated: moderate or severe aortic insufficiency (AI) by echocardiography, aortic valve replacement, repeat BAV, surgical aortic valvotomy, and transplantation or death. From 1985 to 2009, 272 patients who underwent BAV at ages 1 day to 30.5 years were followed for 5.8 ± 6.7 years. Transplantation or death occurred in 24 patients (9%) and was associated with depressed baseline left ventricular shortening fraction (LVSF) (p = 0.04). Aortic valve replacement occurred in 42 patients (15%) at a median of 3.5 years (interquartile range 75 days to 5.9 years) after BAV and was associated with post-BAV gradient ≥25 mm Hg (p = 0.02), the presence of post-BAV AI (p = 0.03), and below-average baseline LVSF (p = 0.04). AI was found in 83 patients (31%) at a median of 4.8 years (interquartile range 1.4 to 8.7) and was inversely related to post-BAV gradient ≥25 mm Hg (p <0.04). AI was associated with depressed baseline LVSF (p = 0.02). Repeat valvuloplasty (balloon or surgical) occurred in 37 patients (15%) at a median of 0.51 years (interquartile range 0.10 to 5.15) and was associated with neonatal BAV (p <0.01), post-BAV gradient ≥25 mm Hg (p = 0.03), and depressed baseline LVSF (p = 0.05). In conclusion, BAV confers long-term benefits to most patients with congenital AS. Neonates, patients with post-BAV gradients ≥25 mm Hg, and patients with lower baseline LVSF experienced worse outcomes.     

Use of a 3 French system for balloon aortic valvuloplasty in infants.

For infants with valvar aortic stenosis, balloon aortic valvuloplasty has supplanted surgical valvotomy as the initial treatment of choice at most institutions. Technological innovations have resulted in further miniaturization of balloon dilation catheters, allowing this procedure to be performed through smaller sheath sizes. Currently, the Tyshak-Mini balloon dilation catheter (B. Braun Medical) allows passage of up to an 8 mm dilation balloon catheter through a 3 Fr hemostatic sheath. The efficacy of this system for the treatment of valvar aortic stenosis in infants less than 6 months of age was evaluated in 20 patients undergoing 22 procedures. Mean age at the time of intervention was 26 +/- 46 days. Mean transvalvar gradient was 76 +/- 22 mm Hg prior to balloon dilation. Following balloon valvuloplasty, residual gradient was 26 +/- 12 mm Hg, reflecting a mean change in peak-to-peak gradient of 49 +/- 19 mm Hg. Postintervention increase in aortic insufficiency was one grade or less in 19/22 procedures, two grades in 2 procedures, and three grades in 1 procedure. There were no significant vascular complications reported immediately following the procedure. Repeat valvuloplasty was performed in three patients in which the 3 Fr system was used in two patients. The 3 Fr system for balloon aortic valvuloplasty in infants less than 6 months of age is effective and safe.     

Measurement of effective aortic valve area using three-dimensional echocardiography in children undergoing aortic balloon valvuloplasty for aortic stenosis

Aims: Pressure gradient is used for timing of balloon aortic valvuloplasty for aortic stenosis (AS) in children, but does not correlate well with outcome and is limited if ventricular function is poor. In adults, effective orifice area (EOA) is used to assess AS severity, but EOA by continuity equation or 2D echo is unreliable in children. Three‐dimensional echocardiography (3DE) may reliably assess EOA but has not been studied in children. We assessed measurement of aortic valve EOA by 3DE in children with AS before and after balloon aortic valvuloplasty and compared results with change in aortic valve gradient. Methods: 3DE was performed at time of catheterization before and after balloon aortic valvuloplasty. Using 3DE multiplanar review mode, valve annulus diameter, area, and EOA were measured and compared with change in aortic gradient and degree of aortic insufficiency. Results: Twenty‐four 3DE studies in 12 children (mean age 4.4 ± 5.0 years) were analyzed. EOA was measurable in all. Catheter peak gradient decreased from 45 ± 10 to 26 ± 17 mmHg (P = 0.0018). 3DE EOA increased after balloon aortic valvuloplasty (0.59 ± 0.52 cm² vs 0.80 ± 0.70 cm²; P = 0.03), without change in valve diameter. EOA change correlated with change in peak (r = 0.77; P = 0.005) and mean (r = 0.60; P = 0.03) aortic valve gradient post balloon aortic valvuloplasty. Conclusion: 3DE facilitates EOA measurement in pediatric AS and correlates with change in aortic valve gradient after balloon valvuloplasty. (Echocardiography 2012;29:484‐491)     

Valvuloplasty of congenital aortic stenosis

While percutaneous transluminal valvuloplasty has largely replaced open commissurotomy for congenital pulmonary valve stenosis, the experience with valvuloplasty for congenital aortic stenosis is limited. Between August, 1984 and June, 1987, a total of 27 valvuloplasties were carried out in 25 patients with congenital aortic stenosis; nine infants and 16 patients ranging in age from four to 25 years (mean age 13 +/- 6 years). The indication for valvuloplasty was established on the basis of congestive heart failure or severe stenosis in infants and in the presence of a pressure gradient in excess of 60 mm Hg in those older than one year of age. In eight infants, valvuloplasty reduced the transvalvular pressure gradient from 73 +/- 5 to 36 +/- 9 mm Hg (p less than 0.01; Figure 1). In the 16 patients older than one year of age, the pressure gradient was reduced from 93 +/- 25 to 49 +/- 15 mm Hg (p less than 0.01; Figure 2). The size of the balloon chosen was based on two-dimensional echocardiographic measurements of the aortic ring diameter from inner edge to inner edge. In infants, coronary artery dilating catheters and balloon catheters with an inflated diameter of 4.2 to 8 mm were employed; in children, the balloon diameter selected was 1 to 3 mm less than that of the valve ring diameter, in 15 cases a single-balloon catheter and in one a trefoil catheter. After puncture of the femoral artery and retrograde advancement of a guide-wire into the left ventricle, the balloon catheter was positioned via the guide-wire across the aortic valve.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Successful balloon valvuloplasty for neonatal critical aortic stenosis

Transluminal balloon aortic valvuloplasty was performed in two term neonates, ages 6 and 7 days, with critical aortic stenosis. Transluminal balloon coarctation angioplasty was also performed in the second neonate. The neonates presented in congestive heart failure and underwent unsuccessful treatment with digoxin, furosemide, and careful fluid management before balloon dilatation. In the first patient, the gradient across the aortic valve was reduced from 75 mm Hg before balloon aortic valvuloplasty to 34 mm Hg after the procedure. The second neonate showed clinical improvement after both dilatation procedures. In both patients, follow-up clinical and Doppler echocardiography findings suggest persistent improvement 5 months after the procedure.     

Balloon valvuloplasty for recurrent aortic stenosis after surgical valvotomy in childhood: immediate and follow-up studies

The immediate and intermediate-term effects of balloon valvuloplasty were assessed at cardiac catheterization in nine children with recurrent stenosis after a previous surgical aortic valvotomy. At valvuloplasty the patients ranged in age from 0.35 to 16 years and had undergone surgical valvotomy 0.3 to 12.5 years previously. Balloon valvuloplasty immediately reduced the peak systolic aortic stenosis gradient by 53%, from 88 +/- 9 (mean +/- SEM) to 41 +/- 6 mm Hg (p = 0.004). The left ventricular systolic pressure was reduced from 189 +/- 8 to 157 +/- 8 mm Hg (p = 0.001) and the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure from 17 +/- 1 to 14 +/- 2 mm Hg (p = 0.025). The heart rate and cardiac index remained unchanged. Before valvuloplasty, one patient had 1 + and two patients had 2+ aortic insufficiency. In six of nine patients, balloon valvuloplasty caused no change in the degree of valvular insufficiency. Two patients had a 1 + increase (from 0 to 1 + insufficiency in both), and one patient with no insufficiency developed 2+ aortic insufficiency. Elective follow-up catheterization was performed 0.8 to 2.5 years (mean 1.5 +/- 0.2) after valvuloplasty. At follow-up, the peak aortic stenosis gradient remained significantly reduced from the gradient before valvuloplasty (37 +/- 5 versus 85 +/- 10 mm Hg, p = 0.002). The gradient had not changed significantly from that measured immediately after valvuloplasty (37 +/- 5 versus 38 +/- 5 mm Hg, p = 0.75). At follow-up, aortic insufficiency had decreased from that immediately after valvuloplasty in three patients and had increased in two.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Balloon valvuloplasty of calcified aortic stenosis is a realistic alternative to surgery: clinical and invasive results 17 months following the 1st or 2d dilatation

Aortic balloon valvuloplasty was performed in 33 elderly patients (age 60-84, mean 74 years). In six cases, repeat-valvuloplasty was performed six months later. Mean follow-up so far has been 17 months (10-24 months). Follow-up included 23 invasive controls and repeat Doppler-echocardiographic estimation of valve gradient in all patients. At valvuloplasty, peak aortic gradient was reduced from 84 +/- 27 mm Hg to 40 +/- 18 mm Hg, valve area was increased from 0.39 +/- 0.11 cm2 to 0.74 +/- 0.16 cm2. Immediately after valvuloplasty, 76% of the patients were asymptomatic or significantly improved. At follow-up, 10 patients died and 12 patients underwent surgical valve replacement. Only seven patients are still improved or asymptomatic after 1st or 2nd valvuloplasty. Invasive control six to nine months after the 1st valvuloplasty showed satisfactory results for valve gradient and valve area in only one patient. At repeat-valvuloplasty, a mean valve gradient of 29.6 +/- 12.5 mm Hg was achieved. All patients with repeat-valvuloplasty again had invasive control after six months; peak gradient then was 56 +/- 17 mm Hg. Balloon valvuloplasty of acquired aortic valve stenosis is a palliative procedure with a high restenosis-rate. At the most, aortic valve area is doubled. In our opinion, it is only indicated in patients with an unacceptable high surgical risk. Today, old age alone is no contraindication to surgical valve replacement.