Development of infundibular obstruction after percutaneous pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty

A 14 month old boy with suprasystemic right ventricular pressure secondary to pulmonary valvular stenosis and anular size of 10 mm underwent percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty with a 12 mm balloon. Right ventricular pressure almost doubled after valvuloplasty and the electrocardiogram revealed development of severe right ventricular strain. Both findings persisted on the following day. A postvalvuloplasty right ventriculogram demonstrated a severe systolic infundibular obstruction not present before. The patient underwent surgical relief of infundibular obstruction; successful opening of the pulmonary valve by the balloon valvuloplasty was observed. It is concluded that a balloon size 20% larger than anular size can be safe in human subjects and that infundibular obstruction may appear or even worsen after balloon valvuloplasty. Such an obstruction may be related to the severity of pulmonary valvular obstruction and a hypercontractile infundibulum.     

Significance of infundibular obstruction following balloon valvuloplasty for valvar pulmonic stenosis

This study was designed to define the prevalence and significance of infundibular obstruction following balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty. Thirteen of 62 children had infundibular gradients prior to valvuloplasty; five of these disappeared following balloon valvuloplasty. Five other children without pre-valvuloplasty infundibular gradients but with angiographic infundibular narrowing developed new infundibular gradients following valvuloplasty. Propranolol was administered to six children because of severe infundibular constriction, with improvement. None required surgical intervention. At follow-up the infundibular gradients either diminished or disappeared. The infundibular gradients appear to be more frequent with increasing age and severity of pulmonary valvar obstruction. Children developing systemic or suprasystemic right ventricular pressures after balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty may be candidates for propranolol therapy. Regression of the infundibular stenosis at follow-up can be expected, as has been observed after surgical pulmonary valvotomy. Because the infundibular obstruction can be successfully managed, balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty remains the treatment of choice for isolated valvar pulmonary stenosis. Use of balloon valvuloplasty in children less than 5 years of age and/or prior to development of pulmonary gradients in excess of 80 mm Hg may reduce the chance for development of infundibular reaction.     

Use of propranolol for severe dynamic infundibular obstruction prior to balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (a brief communication)

A case of severe pulmonary valvar stenosis and infundibular obstruction has been reported. Infundibular obstruction was so severe that no catheter could be advanced into the pulmonary artery. Propranolol, 0.5 mg given intravenously, reduced the obstruction and allowed the balloon dilatation of the pulmonary valve to be carried out without complication. Subsequently oral propranolol helped to remove the infundibular obstruction. We strongly recommend the use of propranolol when infundibular obstruction is present prior or after the balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty.     

经皮肺动脉瓣球囊成形术疗效及其影响因素

目的 评价经皮肺动脉瓣球囊成形术(PBPV)治疗单纯肺动脉瓣狭窄(PS)的疗效,探讨影响疗效的相关因素.方法 自1996年2月至2003年3月PBPV治疗PS 65例.年龄1～48(13.5±9.3)岁.65例术前超声心动图均提示不同程度PS.使用单、双球囊和Inoue球囊分别为41、6及18例.球囊直径选择依据肺动脉瓣环的大小,球瓣比1.00～1.19、1.20～1.39和≥1.40分别为19、42和4例.定义术后即刻跨肺动脉瓣压力阶差(PTG)<36 mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)为手术即刻成功标准.25例6～12个月随访,行右心导管术或超声心动网评价PTG.结果 65例患者术前PTG为(86.4±33.6)mm Hg,右心室收缩压(107.5±36.5)mm Hg,术后即刻PTG降至(31.5±23.4)mm Hg,术后即刻右心室收缩压降至(55.0±23.6)mm Hg,53例(81.5%)术后即刻PTG<36 mm Hg.Inoue球囊组术后即刻PTG低于单、双球囊组,球瓣比1.20～1.39组术后即刻PTG低于球囊比1.00～1.19及≥1.40组,但差异无统计学意义.术后2例出现三尖瓣反流,26例发生继发性流出道狭窄,Inoue球囊组占13例.25例12个月随访时PTG为(35.7±23.9)mm Hg,其中3例出现肺动脉瓣关闭不全,末给予特殊处理,无再狭窄发生.术后即刻6例PTG≥36 mm Hg患者,随访中PTG均降低.随访11例继发性流出道狭窄右心窒收缩压逐渐降低(P<0.01).结论 PBPV即刻和中期疗效好,是PS的首选治疗方法 .选择球瓣比1.20～1.39和Inoue球囊疗效较佳.     

Percutaneous valvuloplasty of congenital pulmonary stenosis in adults over 50 years of age

The authors report three cases of congenital pulmonary stenosis in adults over 50 years of age treated by percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty. Three symptomatic women aged 74, 80 and 51, had systolic pressure gradients ranging from 107 to 113 mmHg between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery. After valvuloplasty with two balloons or one trefoil balloon, the transvalvular pressure gradient fell to 25 to 30 mmHg. It was only 14 mmHg in one patient controlled after one year's follow-up. The cardiac index was initially decreased and did not change very much immediately after the procedure, increasing from 1.68 1/m2/mn to 1.77 1/m2/mn. The pulmonary valve surface area increased from 0.22 to 0.43 cm2. There were no complications and in one patient, reviewed two years later, the clinical improvement was maintained. Percutaneous valvuloplasty is indicated in severe and/or poorly tolerated pulmonary stenosis. With the 10 other previously reported cases of patients over 50 years of age, the procedure was successful in 12 out of 13 patients (92%). In these patients of 51 to 80 years of age, the systolic pressure gradient between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery was reduced from 112 +/- 46 mmHg to 43 +/- 26 mmHg (-62%). Slight pulmonary regurgitation appeared in 5 out of 9 cases. Valvuloplasty was usually well tolerated and there were no fatalities. There were no signs of restenosis in 5 cases controlled 10 days to 1 year after dilatation. In the future, systematic Doppler echocardiographic examinations should help comparison of cardiac haemodynamics before, immediately after valvuloplasty and at long-term.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Critical pulmonary valve stenosis in patients less than 1 year of age: treatment with percutaneous gradational balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty

A new technique of percutaneous gradational balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty was used successfully in 17 infants less than 1 year of age, including four neonates, with critical congenital pulmonary valve stenosis, who would otherwise have required surgical intervention. This technique uses a sequential series of balloon catheters of gradually increasing size as a means of eventually crossing the very small valve orifice with a balloon catheter of adequate size to achieve successful pulmonary valvuloplasty. The initial dilatations were achieved with balloon catheters 2, 3, or 4 mm in diameter. Immediately after successful balloon valvuloplasty, the mean pulmonary systolic pressure gradient was reduced from 105 +/- 11 to 20 +/- 5 mm Hg. Percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty can be performed safely with good results despite critical congenital pulmonary valve obstruction in severely ill infants.     

Short- and intermediate-term follow-up results of percutaneous transluminal balloon valvuloplasty in adolescents and young adults with congenital pulmonary valve stenosis

Percutaneous pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty (PBV) is a well-established treatment alternative to surgery in many cardiology centers. We described our experience with PBV in 25 adolescent and young adult patients with isolated pulmonary valve stenosis (PVS). Among 20 successful PBVs, there was a significant immediate decrease in right ventricular systolic pressure from 116.9 32.4 mmHg to 60.5 18.7 mmHg (p < 0.0001) and a decrease in transpulmonary valve pressure gradient from 93.5 32.8 mmHg to 33.5 9.7 mmHg (p < 0.0001) was noted. The follow-up period was 1-5 years (mean = 3.2 1.2 years), during which patients were periodically assessed by Doppler echocardiogram. During follow-up, the transpulmonary valve pressure gradient further decreased from 33.5 9.7 mmHg to 18.6 3.4 mmHg (p < 0.0001) mainly due to regression of infundibular hypertrophy. Thus, the study showed excellent short-term and intermediate-term results of PBV.     

Electrocardiographic Changes Following Balloon Dilatation of Valvar Pulmonic Stenosis

The purpose of this paper was to study the electrocardiographic changes following balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty for pulmonic stenosis and to see if such changes reflect improvement in pulmonary valve gradient following balloon valvuloplasty. Forty-one patients, ages 7 days to 20 years, underwent balloon valvuloplasty for severe valvar pulmonic stenosis. In 35 of these patients ECGs were available 3 to 34 months (mean 11) following valvuloplasty and were compared with pre-valvu-loplasty electrocardiograms. In 30 children with excellent relief of pulmonic stenosis (group I), frontal plane mean QRS vector moved toward the left from 127 ±25° to 81 ±47°as did the horizontal plane mean QRS vector, 88 ± 36° to 27 ±51°. The amplitude of R wave in V_1, 19 ± 11.6 mm, and V₂, 19.7 ± 12.2 mm, decreased respectively to 9.5 ± 5.9 mm and 11.3 ±6.1 mm. S wave amplitude in V₅ and V₆ also decreased. The improvement in the electrocardiogram is associated with a decrease in pulmonary valve gradient from 95 ± 50 to 29 ± 23 mm Hg. In five children with significant residual pulmonary valve gradient (group II), the electrocardiograms did not show any significant change. Evaluation of the time course of ECG changes in group I revealed that recognizable electrocardiographic improvement was first observed at 6 months following successful balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty. Normal electrocardiogram suggests minimal residual pulmonary valve gradient while right ventricular hypertrophy suggests significant residual obstruction unless the electrocardiogram was recorded at or before six months following balloon valvuloplasty. These data suggest that electrocardiogram is a good indicator of improvement following balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty. (J. Interven Cardiol 1988:1:3)     

Double Balloon Technique for Percutaneous Balloon Pulmonary Valvuloplasty: Comparison with Single Balloon Technique

This study was designed to document our results of double balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty and to evaluate if the double balloon technique is preferable to single balloon valvuloplasty in the relief of isolated valvar pulmonic stenosis. Double balloon valvuloplasty in twelve patients reduced the pulmonary valvar gradient from 100.5 ± 28.0 (mean ± SD) to 26.6 ± 12.5 mm Hg (P < 0.001) which remained improved, 17.5 ± 10.2 mm Hg (P < 0.001) at 6 to 14 month follow-up. Single balloon valvuloplasty with equivalent balloon/pulmonary valve annulus ratios (1.19 ± 0.14 vs 1.19 ± 0.15, P > 0.1) in another 12 patients also reduced (P < 0.001) the gradient from 96.3 ± 40.1 to 28.3 ± 17.3 mm Hg immediately following the procedure which at 6 to 13 month follow-up was 12.8 ± 9.9 mm Hg. The right ventricular peak systolic pressures (116.6 ± 24.5 vs 113.8 ± 41.5 mm Hg) and pulmonary valvar gradients (100.5 ± 28.0 vs 96.3 ± 40.1 mm Hg) prior to valvuloplasty, residual right ventricular pressures (47.4 ± 12.2 vs 54.3 ± 14.2 mm Hg) and pulmonary valve gradients (26.6 ± 12.5 vs 28.3 ± 17.3 mm Hg) immediately after valvuloplasty, and residual right ventricular pressures (43.1 ± 10.9 vs 41.1 + 12.5 mm Hg) and pulmonary valvar gradients (17.5 ± 10.2 vs 12.8 ± 9.9 mm Hg) on follow-up were similar (P ± 0.1) in both groups.
These data indicate that results of double balloon valvuloplasty are excellent but not superior to single balloon valvuloplasty. It is suggested that the double balloon valvuloplasty should be used if the pulmonary valve annulus is too large to dilate with a single balloon. There is no need for double balloon valvuloplasty if the pulmonary valve can be dilated with a commercially available single balloon.     

Results of repeat percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty for pulmonary valvar restenosis

Follow-up cardiac catheterization studies were used to evaluate 105 patients who had undergone percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty. Fifteen of those patients who had peak systolic pulmonary valve gradients greater than = 40 mm Hg at follow-up underwent repeat balloon valvuloplasty. For the initial balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty, the mean ratio of the balloon diameter to pulmonary valve annulus diameter was 0.98 +/- 0.2; at repeat valvuloplasty the mean was 1.19 +/- 0.12. The immediate post-repeat balloon valvuloplasty results showed a reduction in the peak systolic gradient from a mean of 70.2 +/- 17.8 to 29.1 +/- 19.0 mm Hg (p less than 0.001). This reduction in the gradient was maintained at a mean of 14.3 +/- 5.0 mm Hg in 8 of the 10 patients who underwent further follow-up studies. We conclude that successful repeat balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty with the use of larger sized balloons is feasible in patients who have restenosis after the initial percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty--including partial but not complete dysplasia of the pulmonary valve.     

Semilunar Valve Interventions for Congenital Heart Disease: JACC State-of-the-Art Review

Transcatheter balloon valvuloplasty for the treatment of aortic and pulmonary valve stenosis was first described nearly 40 years ago. Since that time, the technique has been refined in an effort to optimize acute outcomes while reducing the long-term need for reintervention and valve replacement. Balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty is considered first-line therapy for pulmonary valve stenosis and generally results in successful relief of valvar obstruction. Larger balloon to annulus (BAR) diameter ratios can increase the risk for significant valvar regurgitation. However, the development of regurgitation resulting in right ventricular dilation and dysfunction necessitating pulmonary valve replacement is uncommon in long-term follow-up. Balloon aortic valvuloplasty has generally been the first-line therapy for aortic valve stenosis, although some contemporary studies have documented improved outcomes following surgical valvuloplasty in a subset of patients who achieve tri-leaflet valve morphology following surgical repair. Over time, progressive aortic regurgitation is common and frequently results in the need for aortic valve replacement. Neonates with critical aortic valve stenosis remain a particularly high-risk group. More contemporary data suggest that acutely achieving an aortic valve gradient <35 mm Hg with mild aortic regurgitation may improve long-term valve performance and reduce the need for valve replacement. Continued study will help to further improve outcomes and reduce the need for future reinterventions.     

Balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty in the management of cyanotic congenital heart defects

Twenty-three children with cyanotic congenital heart defects, aged 3 days to 11.5 years, weighing 2.9 to 30 kg, underwent percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty to improve pulmonary oligemia. The patients were divided into two groups: group I with intact ventricular septum and group II with ventricular septal defect. In 12 group I patients, there was an increase of systemic arterial oxygen saturation [83 ± 8% (mean ± SD) vs. 94 ± 5%, P < 0.001] and pulmonary-to-systemic flow ratio (0.7 ± 0.1 vs. 1.0 ± 0.2, P < 0.001). Peak systolic pressure gradient across the pulmonary valve decreased (P > 0.001) from 105 ± 48 to 25 ± 18 mm Hg. In 11 group II patients, arterial oxygen saturation (67 ± 13 vs. 83 ± 13%, P < 0.01) and pulmonary-to-systemic flow ratio (0.7 ± 0.4 vs. 1.2 ± 0.5, P < 0.02) increased following valvuloplasty. Peak systolic pressure gradient across the pul-monic valve (52 ± 16 vs. 32 ± 22 mm Hg, P < 0.05) decreased while infundibular and total pulmonary outflow tract gradients were unchanged (P > 0.1). Immediate surgical intervention was avoided in all cases in both groups. On follow-up, 1 to 36 months after valvuloplasty, arterial oxygen saturation, pulmonary-to-systemic flow ratio, and pulmonary valve gradients remain improved in both groups. However, in group I, repeat balloon valvuloplasty was required in two children. In group II, six children with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) underwent successful total surgical correction 4 months to 2 years after valvuloplasty. Two children with transposition of the great arteries required Blalock-Taussig shunts 6 and 18 months after valvuloplasty for further improvement of hypoxemia. Demonstrable increase in pulmonary artery diameter occurred in several children. These data suggest that pulmonary valvuloplasty offers an excellent relief of pulmonary valve obstruction in the intact ventricular septum group and palliation of pulmonary oligemia in the ventricular septal defect group. In the latter group, avoiding immediate surgical shunts in all patients and achieving growth in pulmonary arterial size in many patients, thus making them suitable for further surgical palliation or correction, are additional advantages.     

Percutaneous pulmonary valvuloplasty in adults

Percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty was performed in 6 adult patients (aged 21-59 years, mean age: 43 years) with congenital pulmonary valve stenosis and systolic pressure gradients of 50 to 120 mm Hg (mean: 78 mm Hg). In 5 patients the procedure was successful: mean systolic right ventricular pressure was reduced from 99 +/- 26 to 55 +/- 7 mm Hg and the trans-stenotic pressure gradient from 77 +/- 28 to 31 +/- 12 mm Hg. Valvuloplasty with a 20 mm balloon was not effective in a patient with a wide pulmonary anulus (diameter 25 mm). In 1 patient only, the balloon occlusion led to severe systemic hypotension with syncope. Short-term follow-up (3 months) demonstrated symptomatic improvement and persistent reduction of the pressure gradient in all successfully treated patients. In conclusion, percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty appears to be an effective method with low risk of complications for the treatment of pulmonary valve stenosis in adults.     

Percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty for treatment of congenital pulmonary valvular stenosis in children

Percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty was performed in seven children with moderate to severe valvular pulmonary stenosis (right ventricular to pulmonary artery pressure gradient greater than 50 mm Hg). All patients experienced a decrease in right ventricular peak systolic pressure from 108 +/- 30 to 60 +/- 5.6 mm Hg (p less than 0.001), decrease in right ventricular to pulmonary artery gradient from 90.1 +/- 30 to 38.8 +/- 5 mm Hg (p less than 0.001) and increase in pulmonary valve area from 0.33 +/- 0.06 to 0.55 +/- 0.15 cm2/m2 (p less than 0.001). In the two patients who underwent supine bicycle exercise before and after valvuloplasty, a significant decrease in both the maximal right ventricular peak systolic pressure (212 to 140 and 175 to 125 mm Hg, respectively) and in right ventricular to pulmonary artery peak pressure gradient (185 to 110 and 151 to 85 mm Hg, respectively) occurred. All patients tolerated the procedure well and no serious complications were observed. It is concluded that percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty is a safe and effective method for relief of right ventricular obstruction due to moderate or severe valvular pulmonary stenosis. However, long-term results remain unknown.     

Pulmonary valvuloplasty. Long term results at the Centro Medico la Raza]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immediate and long term results of pulmonary valve ballon dilation, and to determine the prognostic factors of failure in 109 patients (60 female and 49 male), aged 7.04 +/- 8.4 years. Seventy two patients (66.1%) had isolated valvular stenosis and 33.9% presented associated lesions. Peak systolic pressure gradient across the pulmonary valve decreased from 89.53 +/- 37.23 to 20.8 +/- 19.41 mmHg (p < 0.0001) after valvuloplasty. Forty three patients developed reactive infundibular stenosis after valvuloplasty with a systolic gradient of 19.65 +/- 35.64 mmHg. At a mean period of 8 years of follow-up the pressure gradient was 20.75 +/- 14.32 (p < 0.001). Valvuloplasty was successful in 86.2% of the cases with a global mortality of 1.9%, minor complications in 15.2%, and a failure rate of 13.8%. At follow-up restenosis developed in 6.7%. The comparative analysis between the groups of success and failure yield as significant risk factors for failure an age younger than 3.5 years and a pulmonary valve with displastic (p < 0.05) or combined morphology (p < 0.05). This group had also more complications and higher systolic gradients and right ventricular pressures post-dilation (p < 0.05). Pulmonary valvuloplasty is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of pulmonary valve stenosis with a good immediate and long-term results, and is now considered the treatment of choice.     

Balloon catheter dilation of severe pulmonary restenosis 11 years after surgical valvulotomy

A young girl who underwent repair of an atrial septal defect and pulmonary valvulotomy when 6 years of age, presented with clinical and haemodynamic signs of pulmonary restenosis 11 years later: right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) of 130 mmHg with a systolic RV/PA pressure gradient of 105 mmHg. Pulmonary valvuloplasty was performed using a balloon catheter (20 mm X 40 mm). Two inflations were necessary to correct the hour glass deformity of the balloon caused by the stenosis. After valvuloplasty the RVSP was 75 mmHg and the RV/PA gradient 55 mmHg. The calculated pulmonary valve surface area increased from 0.36 cm2 to 0.72 cm2. Angiography performed immediately after dilatation showed improved valvular mobility but here was persistant severe infundibular hypertrophy. The intensity of the pulmonary systolic murmur decreased. The good result obtained in this case shows that percutaneous valvuloplasty may be considered when restenosis occurs several years after surgical valvulotomy. Control catheterisation performed two months after dilatation confirmed the good initial haemodynamic result.     

The mechanism of the obstruction in calcific aortic stenosis with bicuspid valve: a reason for failure of balloon aortic valvuloplasty in the elderly

Percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty failed to relieve the obstruction in 2 elderly patients with calcific aortic stenosis. Intraoperative and pathologic examination showed bicuspid aortic valve with symmetric cusps, straight and fibrotic cusp edges and fractured calcific nodules of the aortic valve. Failure of balloon valvuloplasty in these patients, in spite of successful fractures of calcific nodules, was due to inability to influence the spring-like action of the thickened edges of the valve which represents a specific additional cause of obstruction in calcific bicuspid aortic valve of the elderly.     

Pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty in the palliation of complex cyanotic congenital heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty in the interim palliation of complex congenital heart disease and pulmonary stenosis in children, who often require numerous palliative operations before definitive surgical repair. METHODS: Evaluation of pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty procedures performed over a five year period in 18 patients (age 8 days--29 years; mean 5.5 years) with complex cyanotic congenital heart disease. RESULTS: After pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty oxygen saturation increased from a mean (SD) of 69 (7.5)% to 83 (7.0)% (P < 0.001). Mean pulmonary artery pressure increased from a mean (SD) of 11.3 (3.8) mm Hg to 15.7 (3.9) mm Hg (P < 0.001). Transient complete atrioventricular block occurred in one patient. No other complications were encountered. In 5 patients (28%) there was an inadequate improvement in cyanosis compared with pre-procedure values (72 (4.7)% v 66 (8.1)%). Reasons for failure were increasing infundibular stenosis in three and inadequate mixing in one child. In 13 patients (72%) pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty gave adequate interim palliation over a mean follow up of 1.1 (1.3) years. Oxygen saturation was 81 (5.6)% at last follow up compared with 70 (7.3)% before pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty is a safe and effective technique in the palliation of patients with complex cyanotic congenital heart disease associated with pulmonary valve stenosis.