Immediate, Short, Intermediate and Long-Term Results of Balloon Valvuloplasty in Congenital Pulmonary Valve Stenosis

Transluminal balloon valvuloplasty is an alternative to surgical valvotomy for congenital pulmonary valve stenosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long term results (to 13.5 years) of balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty. From June 1998 to January 2012, percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty for congenital pulmonary valve stenosis was performed in 98 patients (50 males, 48 females, with a median age of 6.75 years) underwent balloon valvuloplasty of pulmonary valve stenosis. Follow-up was performed based on the Doppler echocardiographic data and clinical findings. Forty three of ninety eight patients were 10 years of age or older. The mean peak to peak pressure gradient across pulmonary valve before and immediately after balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (BPV) was 88.7±36.4 mmHg and 21.8±15.9 mmHg (P<0.001) respectively. Doppler pressure gradient across pulmonary valve before BPV, at 3 month (short term), at 1 year (intermediate term) and long–term follow–up were 93.2±41.3 mmHg, 18.7±15.8 mmHg (P<0.001), 15.8±13.1 mmHg (P<0.001) and 13.6±7.4 mmHg (P<0.017) respectively. Mild pulmonary regurgitation (PR) was observed in 55 (57%) patients immediately after BPV and 30 (31%) patients at late follow up. Rupture of the right ventricular outflow tract was the major complication in two patients with fatal event. Short, intermediate and long-term results of BPV for typical valvular pulmonary stenosis are excellent. Therefore, it can be considered as treatment of choice for patients with typical valvular pulmonary stenosis.