Balloon valvuloplasty for congenital aortic valve stenosis in children

Abstract

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty (PBAV) for congenital aortic valve stenosis in children. This is a retrospective clinical study including 14 children treated with PBAV for congenital aortic valve stenosis from October 2006 to December 2012 in our institute. During clinical follow-up, aortic residual stenosis and restenosis, left ventricular function and the procedure-related complications, including the approach artery injury, and aortic regurgitation were particularly assessed. A total of 14 patients consisting of 12 boys and 2 girls underwent the procedure, with mean age (17.1 ± 10.5) months (range from 8 days to 6 years) and the mean body weight (8.9 ± 5.5) kg (range from 1.9 kg to 23.0 kg). The indication for PBAV was a Doppler-derived peak instaneous gradient of ≥ 75 mmHg(1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) or a smaller gradient with signs of severe left ventricular dysfunction or left ventricular strain on the ECG. The mean ratio of balloon-annulus was 0.92 ± 0.09 (range from 0.75 to 1.09). The catheter-measured peak systolic valve gradient was successfully relieved in all the patients, decreasing from (69 ± 26) mmHg to (29 ± 13) mmHg immediately after balloon valvuloplasty (t = 7.628, P = 0.000). The Doppler-derived peak and mean gradient decreased from (95 ± 21) mmHg and (50 ± 7) mmHg to (49 ± 16) mmHg and (24 ± 11) mmHg, respectively (t = 7.630, 10.401; P = 0.000, 0.000) . The mean follow-up period was 1 day to 61 months. At follow-up, 2 patients (2/14, 14%) underwent the second balloon valvuloplasty for the significant restenosis, and both showed successful relief of restenosis, however 1 patient required surgical Ross procedure due to significant recurrent systolic pressure gradient and moderate aortic regurgitation 4 years after the second balloon valvuloplasty. Among the 3 young infants who presented with congestive heart failure before intervention, 1 died 1 day after the procedure, the other 2 patients had improved left ventricular systolic function significantly during post-procedural follow-up. Only 1 patient (1/14, 7%) developed moderate aortic regurgitation. There was no other procedure-related complication. PBAV for congenital aortic valve stenosis is effective and safe in children. It is a very feasible palliative intervention for children with severe aortic valve stenosis to postpone the aortic valve surgery.