Management of pediatric patients with isolated valvar aortic stenosis by balloon aortic valvuloplasty

Moderate to severe aortic stenosis in children requires an initial procedure to improve the stenosis and often additional procedures for recurrent stenosis or aortic insufficiency before adulthood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate children who underwent balloon valvuloplasty and were followed with a specific management plan. Twenty-two children with aortic stenosis underwent balloon valvuloplasty and were followed on a regular basis. Repeat valvuloplasty was performed if indicated. The initial gradient was reduced from 63 ± 9 mmHg to 28 ± 8 mmHg (P<0.001). There were no deaths and only one major complication, which had no sequelae. Average follow-up was 61 ± 23 months. Three patients required valve replacement 39–76 months after valvuloplasty for progressive insufficiency. Seven patients underwent successful repeat valvuloplasty. The overall probability of survival without surgical intervention was 75% at 100 months. Balloon valvuloplasty is an effective intermediate palliation for aortic stenosis and is an acceptable alternative to surgical valvotomy. Repeat valvuloplasty is successful without additional risk. In a subgroup of patients, aortic insufficiency is progressive and will require surgical intervention. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Transumbilical venous,anterograde, snare-assisted balloon aortic valvuloplasty in a neonate with critical aortic stenosis

Balloon aortic valvuloplasty is an acceptable alternative to surgery in the treatment of critical aortic stenosis in the neonate. In this report, we describe a 1-day-old infant with critical aortic stenosis who was successfully treated with an anterograde, transumbilical venous, snare-assisted balloon aortic valvuloplasty. Based on this experience, it is suggested that the anterograde transumbilical venous approach is a feasible and effective alternative to retrograde femoral, carotid, or umbilical arterial and transfemoral venous anterograde routes for performing balloon aortic valvuloplasty in the neonate. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 45:144–148, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Repeat balloon aortic valvuloplasty

This paper attempts to determine limitations and indications of performing a second balloon aortic valvuloplasty procedure (BAV2) because of restenosis, which is the major limitation of this technique. From September 1985 to December 1989, 357 patients underwent a primary BAV (BAV1) and 67 patients had a BAV2. Forty-two patients (group A) had repeat catheterization because they were markedly symptomatic 11 ± 7 months after BAV1. Twenty-five patients (group B) came from a group of 73 patients who had been systematically scheduled for repeat catheterization in order to evaluate the hemodynamic restenosis rate 8 ± 3 months after BAV. At time of BAV2 most of the patients of group A were severely disabled. Comparison of pre-BAV2 gradient and aortic valve area with pre-BAV1 measurements showed in a slightly less severe degree of aortic stenosis in group A and in group B with any difference in cardiac index and ejection fraction. Immediately following BAV2, the gradient decreased from 72 ± 22 to 33 ± 15 mm Hg (P ± and aortic valve area increased from 0.56 ± 0.18 to 0.85 ± 0.28 cm ²) (p < 0.001) in group A. In group B, gradient decreased from 68 ± 15 to 33 ± 15 mm Hg (p < 0.001) and aortic valve area increased from 0.70 ± 0.16 to 0.90 ± 0.25 cm² (p < 0.001). Comparison of the post-BAV2 peak systolic gradient, aortic valve area, ejection fraction, and cardiac index with post-BAV1 measurements revealed no significant differences in the two groups, but the absolute increase in aortic valve area obtained at BAV2 was significantly less than at BAV1 in group B (0.20 ± 0.22 vs 0.31 ± 0.16 cm² p < 0.02). The larger balloon size used for BAV2 than for BAV1 did not increase the final valve area at BAV2. In-hospital mortality was 3%. The use of a better profiled catheter with an arterial introducer explained the lower rate of vascular complications (4%). This report demonstrates that when BAV is indicated a second procedure can be performed safely and with low risk in symptomatic patients. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Rapid transesophageal atrial pacing for balloon aortic valvuloplasty in neonates and infants: A new technique for balloon stabilization

Balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) is preferred by most centers over surgery for the treatment of congenital valve stenosis, due to its less invasive nature and faster recovery time. A variety of techniques have been employed to induce a transient cardiac standstill and reduce longitudinal balloon displacement during valve dilatation. Rapid right ventricular (RV) pacing is an effective method to stabilize the balloon during aortic valvuloplasty and it is regularly used in older children and adults. Despite the evidence of its feasibility and efficacy, its use in neonates and infants is still not widespread globally as it is associated with certain drawbacks in this population. We report the use of a new technique to achieve balloon stabilization during BAV in neonates and infants. Four patients with severe congenital aortic valve stenosis were treated with percutaneous BAV using rapid transesophageal atrial pacing. Rapid atrial pacing was performed in asynchronous modality at a rate which resulted in a drop of the systemic arterial pressure by 50%. The balloon was inflated only after the set pacing rate was reached. The pacing was continued until the balloon was completely deflated. No ventricular arrhythmia occurred. Fluoroscopy time was not influenced by transesophageal pacing. Mild aortic regurgitation developed in only one case. Rapid transesophageal atrial pacing was safe and allowed a significant relief of left ventricular obstruction while minimizing aortic regurgitation. Compared to RV pacing, it does not require additional vascular access. Moreover, transesophageal pacing is not at risk of cardiac or vascular perforation and ventricular arrhythmias.     

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.     

经皮二尖瓣球囊扩张术治疗二尖瓣狭窄伴中度返流

目的　探讨经皮二尖瓣球囊扩张术 (PBMV)治疗二尖瓣狭窄 (MS)伴中度二尖瓣返流(MR)的近、远期疗效。方法　采用自制二尖瓣球囊导管治疗MS伴中度MR患者 6 2例 ,其中二尖瓣膜明显增厚、钙化者 7例 ,对左室最大前后径、二尖瓣口面积、左房平均压、二尖瓣跨瓣压差及心功能(NYHA分级 )等主要指标随访观察 12～ 36个月。结果　术后二尖瓣口面积明显增大 [(0 83± 0 18)cm2 比 (1 86± 0 2 4 )cm2 ,P <0 0 1],左房平均压 [(32± 8)mmHg比 (13± 8)mmHg ,P <0 0 1,1mmHg=0 133kPa]及二尖瓣跨瓣压差 [(18± 9)mmHg比 (5± 3)mmHg ,P <0 0 1]明显降低 ,心功能明显改善 [(2 81± 0 2 4 )级比 (1 4 6± 0 37)级 ,P <0 0 1],左室最大前后径无显著改变 [(4 5± 4 )mm比 (4 6± 4 )mm ,P >0 0 5 ]。对左室最大前后径、二尖瓣口面积及心功能等指标随访观察 12～ 36个月均无明显改变。结论　选择合适病例 ,严格把握球囊扩张终点 ,风湿性二尖瓣狭窄并中度返流患者PBMV的近、远期疗效显著。     

High pacing rates for management of aortic insufficiency after balloon aortic valvuloplasty or transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Aortic insufficiency (AI) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is difficult to manage when associated with congestive heart failure. AI after balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) may be catastrophic, especially in patients who are not candidates for TAVR. We describe the use of urgent temporary pacing, followed by permanent pacing, to increase the heart rate to diminish diastolic filling time for the short term management of AI after BAV or TAVR. The strategy is particularly useful in patients who already have permanent pacemakers, which are common in this population. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Aortic valvuloplasty of calcific aortic stenosis with monofoil and trefoil balloon catheters: practical considerations

Summary In order to evaluate the relation between balloon design (monofoil, trefoil) and valvular configuration, experimental aortic valvuloplasty was performed in four post-mortem hearts with calcific aortic stenosis of various morphology. The degree of obstruction of the aortic orifice was assessed by computed axial tomography during inflation of monofoil 15 and 19 mm and trefoil 3×12 mm balloon catheters. We also evaluated the hemodynamic repercussion of balloon inflation (fall in systolic aortic pressure) in four elderly patients with acquired aortic stenosis who underwent a percutaneous transluminal aortic balloon valvuloplasty, with stepwise increasing balloon sizes of 15 mm, 19 mm and 3×12 mm, as during ourin vitro experiments, and who underwent aortic valve replacement later on. In these patients, we correlated the anatomy of the excised aortic valves with the retrospective analysis of aortic pressure curves recorded during previous valvuloplasty procedures.Our experimental and clinicopathological observations showed that the degree of obstruction of the aortic orifice in post-mortem specimens and the tolerance to balloon inflation in live patients are dependent of the valvular configuration. Although trefoil balloons have the theoretical advantage to avoid complete obstruction of the aortic orifice during inflation, we observed that in presence of a tricuspid configuration, they could be potentially more occlusive than monofoil balloons since each of the 3 individual components of the trefoil balloon occupied the intercommissural spaces while inflated. However, they offered more residual free space when inflated in aortic valves with a bicuspid configuration (i.e. congenitally bicuspid valves or tricuspid valves with one fused commissure).In our opinion, these observations are relevant, since degenerative disease of the aortic valve (i.e. tricuspid valve without commissural fusion) is now recognized as the most common etiology of aortic stenosis in the elderly.Abbreviations AS aortic stenosis - AVA aortic valve area - PTAV percutaneous transluminal aortic balloon valvuloplasty A video supplement to this article has been published in Cardiac Imaging Video Journal volume 2, nr. 4, 1989, see Reference 29.     

Balloon aortic valvuloplasty in young adults by antegrade,transseptal approach using Inoue balloon

Transvenous, transseptal, antegrade balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) was successfully performed in 16 consecutive young adults with noncalcific aortic stenosis using Inoue balloon catheter. There were 13 males and three females, with a mean age of 20.4 ± 5.8 years (range 14–30 years). All the patients had normal left ventricular systolic function. All procedures were performed electively by the antegrade technique, except the initial index case in whom, the stenosed aortic valve could not be crossed retrogradely. Dilatation was performed using stepwise technique keeping the balloon:annulus ratio ≤100% in all the cases. Transaortic peak systolic gradient decreased from 113.4 ± 42.6 (range 70–210) mm Hg to 11.2 ± 9.2 (range 4–32) mm Hg; P = 0.0005. Following BAV, three patients developed grade 2⁺ aortic regurgitation, who were managed medically. None of the patients developed tamponade, vascular complications, excessive bleeding, or thromboembolism. Significant left to right atrial shunt (Qp/Qs ≥ 1.5:1) was observed in one case. The average procedure time was 20 ± 8 min (range 18–35 min). On follow-up (n = 11 patients) at 4 ± 1.5 months (range 2–7 months) all the patients were asymptomatic. Doppler transaortic peak systolic gradient was found to be 15 ± 10.3 mm Hg (range 4–36 mm Hg). Antegrade BAV technique using Inoue balloon for noncalcific aortic stenosis in young adults is safe, effective and may be technically advantageous. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 44:297–301, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty during pregnancy: Use of the Inoue balloon and the physiologic antegrade approach

We describe the use of the Inoue balloon to dilate the aortic valve by the physiologic antegrade route during pregnancy. A 27-year-old pregnant woman with severe aortic stenosis presented with progressive dyspnea and presyncope at 26 weeks of pregnancy. She subsequently underwent percutaneous valvuloplasty by the antegrade route utilizing the transseptal puncture. We conclude that percutaneous antegrade balloon valvuloplasty by the Inoue balloon (venous approach) is a safe and effective procedure. It markedly reduces fluoroscopy and is a palliative procedure that allows pregnancy to continue. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 45:422–425, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Catheter balloon valvuloplasty of stenotic aortic valves--Part II: Balloon valvuloplasty during life subsequent tissue examination.

This review describes 23 patients with aortic valve stenosis who underwent balloon valvuloplasty during life and had subsequent valve tissue examined at the time of aortic valve replacement or at necropsy. Of 23 stenotic aortic valves, 17 were examined within 30 days (early) after balloon dilation. Of these 94% had nonrheumatic (nonfused commissures) etiologies for the aortic stenosis. Of the 6 valves examined after 30 days (late) (restenosis), mechanisms of restenosis involve refusion of split commissures and probable elastic recoil. Clinical prediction of the aortic stenosis etiology prior to balloon valvuloplasty may help predict short- and long-term success of the dilation procedure.     

Immediate and long-term results of percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty: a report of 33 procedures

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immediate and long-term clinical and haemodynamic effects of Percutaneous Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty (PBAV). Thirty-three procedures were performed in 27 patients, 11 males and 16 females with a mean age of 72 years. The peak to peak systolic gradient across the aortic valve decreased by 52%, from 67 ± 24 mmHg to 31 ± 15 mmHg (p< 0.0001) and the aortic valve area increased by 35%, from 0.48 ±0.16 to 0.67 ± 0.21 cm² (p <0.001) after PBAV. There were no procedural deaths. Minor complications occurred in seven patients. Eighty-one per cent of patients (27 procedures) showed immediate symptomatic improvement, five remained symptomatic and one died in hospital before discharge. In a mean follow-up of 17 ± 12 months (range six to 38 months), eight patients died due to congestive cardiac failure, six underwent repeat PBAV, three died due to noncardiac causes and three had recurrent symptoms controlled on medical therapy. Event free survival at 15 months was 43%. In conclusion PBAV produces a satisfactory immediate clinical and haemodynamic result, however, considering the high rate of symptom recurrence, this procedure has a beneficial role only in short-term palliation of severely symptomatic patients who are unable to undergo aortic valve replacement. (Aust NZ J Med 1992; 22: 647ndash;651.)     

Assessment of the “long sheath” technique for percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty

A 100 cm-long 16.5 F valvuloplasty catheter introducer was assessed as an adjunct for percutaneous transluminal aortic valvuloplasty (PTAV) via the femoral artery in 31 patients with severe aortic stenosis. Observed improvements in peak systolic gradient (81.6 ± 29.9 mm Hg vs. 35.5 ± 16.0 mm Hg, P < 0.000001) and aortic valve area (0.6 ± 0.4 cm² vs. 1.0 ± 0.6 cm², P < 0.00001) were similar to those achieved in a control group (C) of 17 patients in which no femoral sheath was used. However, a shorter procedure duration (211 ± 81 min vs. 117 ± 30 min, P < 0.001) and a reduced rate of vascular complications at the femoral puncture site (41% vs. 6.5%) were observed in patients in whom the long sheath (LS) technique was used. The frequency of other PTAV-related complications was comparable (C = 35%, LS = 29%, P = n.s.). Other technical advantages of this device are: 1) prevention of looping and bending of the balloon catheter in tortuous vessels and easy positioning of the balloon across the aortic orifice provided by the LS trackability, 2) stabilisation of the balloon during inflation, 3) monitoring of supravalvular aortic pressure provided by the side-arm of the LS and reliable measurement of systolic gradient, and 4) the ability to perform aortograms without the need of another catheter in the ascending aorta. Thus, in our experience, the long sheath technique is a valuable adjunct for PTAV.