Clinical outcomes of the neonates with critical pulmonary stenosis: intrauterine versus postnatal transport.

Background: Pulmonary stenosis (PS) is one rare congenital heart disease (CHD) featuring obstruction of right ventricular outflow tract. Critical pulmonary stenosis (CPS) is neonatal PS having cyanosis and evidence of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) dependency. There is limited data on the clinical outcomes of CPS with different modes of transportation. This study aimed to investigate clinical features and outcomes of CPS through the intrauterine transport (IT) and postnatal transport (PT). Methods: Single-center retrospective research was performed. Neonates with CPS were grouped into the IT group and PT group. Clinical characteristics and outcomes of the neonates were compared between the two groups. Results: Totally 110 neonates with PS were included in this study, 77 with CPS and 33 with non-CPS. In the infants with CPS, there were 53 and 24 in the IT and PT group respectively. Echocardiography showed that transvalvular pulmonary gradient (TVG) stayed lower in the IT group than that in the PT group {77.0 [interquartile range (IQR), 60.5-91.5] vs. 92.0 (IQR, 73.3-125.0) mmHg, P=0.006}. Levels of serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and troponin I also remained lower in the IT group than those in the PT group [2,256 (IQR, 1,054-4,527) vs. 3,708 (IQR, 2,138-6,789) pg/mL, P=0.02; 0.020 (IQR, 0.011-0.034) vs. 0.042 (IQR, 0.027-0.072) ng/mL, P<0.001, respectively]. All infants with CPS received percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (PBPV) therapy in neonatal period and were discharged from the hospital. Length of hospital stay remained shorter in the IT group than that in the PT group [13.0 (IQR, 11.0-15.0) vs. 15.5 (IQR, 10.8-22.8) days, P=0.03]. Conclusions: IT and early management after birth could effectively reduce the severity of CPS before PBPV treatment and shorten the length of hospital stay among neonates suffering from CPS.

Effects of balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty on longitudinal changes in right ventricular strain and strain rate in pediatric pulmonary stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Balloon Pulmonary Valvuloplasty (BPV) is a procedure for Pulmonary Stenosis (PS) treatment. In this study, right ventricle (RV) performance was determined through 2D-Speckle Tracking Echocardiography (2D-STE). METHODS: The study involved 25 diagnosed children with PS undergoing BPV and 25 normal children. They were examined using 2D-STE and Linear Mixed Model (LMM) approach was used to determine changes in Pulmonary Valve Peak Gradient (PVPG), Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (TAPSE), strain and Strain Rate (SR) for RV, and Ejection Fraction for Left Ventricle (LVEF). RESULTS: Notable differences were found between two groups in TAPSE (P=0.001), global strain (P=0.001), apical septal strain (P=0.024), middle septal strain (P=0.001), basal septal strain (P=0.001), apical lateral SR (P=0.001), middle lateral SR (P=0.007), basal lateral SR (P=0.001), and apical septal SR (P=0.001). Post-BPV, there was an increase in LVEF (P=0.001) and TAPSE (P=0.001) but PVPG decreased (P=0.001). Following BPV, an increase was observed in apical lateral strain (P=0.004), middle septal strain (P=0.001), apical septal strain (P=0.003), middle septal strain (P=0.001), basal septal strain (P=0.048), apical septal SR (P=0.025), and middle septal SR (P=0.023). Gender was remarkably correlated with mean changes in basal lateral strain (P=0.019), middle septal strain (P=0.037), and middle septal SR (P=0.020). Age of PS children was related to mean change in basal septal strain (P=0.031) and basal septal SR (P=0.018). CONCLUSION: Strain and SR in RV improved post-BPV in children with PS. The gender and age of the children revealed remarkable effects on RV strain and SR changes after BPV.

Balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty: A systematic review.

There is conclusive evidence for relief of pulmonary valve obstruction immediately after balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (BPV) and at follow-up. Development of infundibular obstruction is seen in more severe PS cases and in older subjects. Reappearance of PS was observed in approximately 10 % of patients following BPV. The reasons for recurrence were found to be balloon/annulus ratio less than 1.2 and immediate post-BPV pulmonary valve peak gradients greater than 30 mmHg. Recurrent stenosis is successfully addressed by repeating BPV with lager balloons than used initially. Long-term results revealed continue relief of obstruction, but with development of pulmonary insufficiency, some patients requiring replacement of the pulmonary valve. It was concluded that BPV is the treatment of choice in the management valvar PS and that balloon/annuls ratio used for BPV should be lowered to 1.2 to 1.25. It was also suggested that strategies should be developed to prevent/reduce pulmonary insufficiency at long-term follow-up.

Effect of Balloon Pulmonary Valvuloplasty on Growth of Pulmonary Annulus in Infants with Tetralogy of Fallot.

Percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (PBPV) is an alternative intervention in infants with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). It can not only improve hypoxia but also promote pulmonary annulus (PA) growth. In this study, we evaluated the effect of PBPV on PA growth in infants with TOF. To eliminate the effect of the systemic to pulmonary shunt (SPS) that may promote PA growth, we divided TOF infants into 2 groups: group A, patients who underwent PBPV with or without other SPS, and group B, patients who attempted SPS but without PBPV. Sixty patients were included, 28 patients in group A and 32 patients in group B. Age at the time of intervention in group A (range, 0.4-5.4; median 1.4 months) was lower than that in group B (range, 2.3-7.7; median 4.8 months), p-value 0.02. The body weight in group A (range, 3-5.5; median 3.7 kg) was also lower than that in group B (range 4.1-6.4; median 5.9 kg), p-value 0.02. Echocardiographic data at the mean follow-up period of 37.2 months (3-88 months) in group A and 39.6 months (6-95 months) in group B demonstrated an increase in mean PA diameter from 5.0 ± 1.3 mm to 10.2 ± 2.9 mm, p-value < 0.001 in group A; and from 6.2 ± 2 mm to 9.5 ± 2.9 mm, p-value < 0.001 in group B. The median PA z-score increased from - 3.4SD (- 3.9 to - 2.6SD) to - 1.8SD (- 2.5 to - 0.8SD), with the p-value of 0.002 in group A; and increased from - 2.9SD (- 4.5 to - 1.3SD) to - 2.7SD (- 3.6 to - 1.4SD), with the p-value of 0.73 in group B. By using the PA z-score as the absolute value, there was a statistically significant increase in the PA z-score during follow-up in group A, but not in group B. Balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty in infants with TOF can facilitate the growth of the pulmonic annulus even after eliminating the effect of the systemic to pulmonary shunt.

Accura balloon dilatation catheter for percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty among adult patients-its protean use.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (PBPV) is the treatment of choice for hemodynamically significant pulmonary stenosis (PS). Currently, the Tyshak balloon is preferred but requires multiple dilatations because of its instability across the valve leading to a watermelon seeding effect. Accura balloon (Vascular Concept, UK) offers an advantage in its self-positioning configuration, variable diameter, and rapid inflation-deflation sequence which shortens the procedural time and valve injury. METHOD: 43 patients with severe pulmonary valve stenosis underwent PBPV using an Accura balloon at LPS Institute of Cardiology, GSVM Medical College, Kanpur, UP, India from March 2018 to February 2022. The procedure was carried out using the standard technique but the metallic straightener was removed when the catheter reached the right atrium to facilitate its delivery across the pulmonary valve. Patients were followed up by 2D echo at 24 hours and 6 months. RESULT: Successful BPV was done in all 43 patients [with mean age 21.9 (range 18-41); 31 males and 12 females] among which 5 patients had dysplastic valves. The mean diameter of the annulus was 18.5 (range 15-21) mm. Immediate hemodynamic improvement was observed in 38 patients (88%) as peak systolic gradient reduced from 84±13 to 22±12 mmHg (P<0.005) while 5 patients (12%) had <50% reduction of resting gradient, though it came down significantly at 6 months. Fluoroscopy and procedural time were 5.2±1.9 min and 22.6±3.4 min respectively. Major complications (death, cardiac perforation, tamponade, tricuspid regurgitation, requirement of blood transfusion) were none. Minor complications (transient hypotension, ventricular premature contraction, transient bradycardia) were reported in all patients. Accura balloon being bulky were delivered over left atrial and super stiff Amplatz wire in 36 and 7 patients respectively. CONCLUSION: PBPV using Accura balloon is safe and effective for both stenosed and dysplastic valves. In a few patients, maximal effect will be observed over a period of 6 months.

Valvuloplasty of fetal pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum and hypoplastic right heart: Mid-term follow-up results.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze and evaluate the results of mid-term follow-up after fetal pulmonary valvuloplasty (FPV) in fetuses with pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS). Methods: From August 31, 2018, to May 31, 2019, seven fetuses with PA/IVS and hypoplastic right heart were included in this study. All underwent echocardiography by the same specialist and were operated on by the same team. Intervention and echocardiography data were collected, and changes in the associated indices noted during follow-up were analyzed. Results: All seven fetuses successfully underwent FPV. The median gestational age at FPV was 27.54 weeks. The average FPV procedural time was 6 â€‹min. Persistent bradycardia requiring treatment occurred in 4/7 procedures. Finally, five pregnancies were successfully delivered, and the other two were aborted. Compared to data before fetal cardiac interventions (FCI), tricuspid valve annulus diameter/mitral valve annulus diameter (TV/MV) and right ventricle diameter/left ventricle diameter (RV/LV) of all fetuses had progressively improved. The maximum tricuspid regurgitation velocity decreased from 4.60 â€‹m/s to 3.64 â€‹m/s. The average follow-up time was 30.40 â€‹± â€‹2.05 months. During the follow-up period, the diameter of the tricuspid valve ring in five children continued to improve, and the development rate of the tricuspid valve was relatively obvious from 6 months to 1 year after birth. However, the development of the right ventricle after birth was relatively slow. It was discovered that there were individual variations in the development of the right ventricle during follow-up. Conclusion: The findings support the potential for the development of the right ventricle and tricuspid valve in fetuses with PA/IVS who underwent FCI. Development of the right ventricle and tricuspid valve does not occur synchronously during pregnancy. The right ventricle develops rapidly in utero, but the development of tricuspid valve is more apparent after birth than in utero.

Combined Echo and Fluoroscopy-Guided Pulmonary Valvuloplasty in Neonates and Infants: Efficacy and Safety.

Percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (PBPV) is the treatment of choice for isolated pulmonary valve stenosis. While this procedure is highly efficacious and has an excellent safety profile, as currently practiced, patients are obligatorily exposed to the secondary risks of ionizing radiation and contrast media. To mitigate these risks, we developed a protocol which utilized echo guidance for portions of the procedure which typically require fluoroscopy and/or angiography. Ten cases of echo-guided pulmonary valvuloplasty (EG-PBPV) for isolated pulmonary stenosis in children less than a year of age were compared to a historical cohort of nineteen standard cases using fluoroscopy/angiography alone, which demonstrated equivalent procedural outcomes and safety, while achieving a median reduction in radiation (total dose area product) and contrast load of 80% and 84%, respectively. Our early experience demonstrates that EG-PBPV in neonates and infants has results equivalent to standard valvuloplasty but with less radiation and contrast.

Outcomes of percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty in congenital pulmonary valve stenosis.

Percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (PBPV) is the primary treatment for pulmonary valve stenosis (PVS). The study consisted of 228 children with PVS who underwent PBPV from January 2004 to October 2019 at a single center. The risk factors for ≥moderate pulmonary regurgitation (PR), residual stenosis, and restenosis were analyzed based on the baseline patient characteristics and measured value of corresponding inspection results. Among 228 patients, follow-up results were obtained in 193 patients. The univariate analysis demonstrated that young age, low weight, small pulmonary annulus diameter, higher initial RV-PA PSEG, increased RV/systemic pressure ratio, and severe PVS were associated with ≥moderate PR. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that higher initial RV-PA PSEG and low weight were independently associated with ≥moderate PR, while higher initial RV-PA PSEG was independently associated with residual stenosis and restenosis. PBPV is a preferred tre atment in PVS children with a higher success rate. Higher initial RV-PA PSEG was a significant factor for ≥moderate PR, residual stenosis, and restenosis.

Feasibility and Safety of Percutaneous Cardiac Interventions for Congenital and Acquired Heart Defects in Infants ≤1000 g.

The transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus (TCPC) has been demonstrated to be feasible even in infants weighing ≤1000 g. However, other percutaneous cardiac interventions (PCI) for such small infants born with congenital heart defects (CHD) or acquired heart defects (AHD) have not been well described. The purpose of this study was to describe the feasibility and safety of PCI in infants ≤1000 g. A retrospective review was conducted between June 2015 and May 2021, looking at 148 consecutive PCIs performed on infants weighing ≤1000 g at the time of the procedure. The procedural success rate was 100%. The major adverse event (AE) rate for TCPC was 3%, while there were no major AEs for other PCI. It is feasible to perform PCIs in infants weighing ≤1000 g with CHD and AHD using currently available technologies.

Percutaneous Balloon Pulmonary Valvuloplasty of Critical Pulmonary Stenosis and severe pulmonary stenosis in Neonates and Early Infancy: A Challenge in the Cyanotic.

Introduction: Pulmonary stenosis with an intact ventricular septum (PS-IVS) is one of the common causes of cyanotic heart disease in neonates with diverse morphologies as well as management and treatment protocols. The aim of this study was to evaluate short and midterm results of balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (BPV) for this disorder. Methods: Between 2012 and 2016, Totally 45 neonates and infants under 6 months old were evaluated.The patients had a minimum right-to-left ventricular pressure ratio of 1, right-to-left shunting at the patent foramen ovale or atrial septal defect level, and tricuspid valve Z-scores higher than -4. Results: Immediately after the procedure, the right ventricular pressure dropped to the normal values in 8 (20%) patients. The immediate procedural success rate was seen in 42 (93.3%) cases: the right-to-left ventricular pressure ratio dropped to below 50% or the level of O2 saturation rose above 75%. Of three cases unresponsive to BPV, two of them underwent patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) stenting and one procedural death occurred. At 6 months' follow-up, of 42 patients, this pressure was still with in the normal range in 36 (80%) infants, while it had returned to high values in 9 (20%) patients and necessitated repeat valvuloplasty. After BPV, severe pulmonary valve regurgitation was observed in14.2% patients; the condition was more common when high-profile noncompliant balloons were used. Conclusion: Balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty in infants with PS-IVS confers acceptable results insofar as it improves echocardiographic parameters and hemodynamic changes at short- and midterm followups.Balloon selection with sizes more than 1.2 of the diameter of the pulmonary valve annulus and the use of noncompliant high-pressure balloons results in higher degrees of pulmonary regurgitation.

Balloon pulmonary valvotomy in severe dysplastic pulmonary valve restenosis: A novel maneuver for stabilizing balloon positioning.

Balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (BPV) is an interventional procedure that has practically replaced the need of open-heart surgery in patients with severe valvular pulmonary stenosis. However, BPV in dysplastic pulmonary valve (PV) still remains a challenge in the current milieu of advanced technologies. We encountered a unique situation of severe restenosis of PV wherein the attempt to balloon dilate the valve was futile because no balloon remained stable at the level of the valve. This situation was overcome using a PDA device delivery sheath to keep the balloon positioned at the desired location.

Outcome Of Balloon Valvuloplasty In Children With Pulmonary Stenosis - Single Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary valve stenosis (PS) is common congenital heart disease in children and patient can present with cyanosis, chest pain, dyspnea and failure with severe form. The objective of this study was to enlighten the short outcome of balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty in children with severe pulmonary stenosis. METHODS: This cross sectional observational study was done in paediatric cardiology department of Lady Reading Hosptial, Peshawer form June 2019 to December 2020 over 1.5 years. Children aged 6 months to 16 years of either sex diagnosed as case of severe stenosis with doming pulmonary valve and having symptoms of chest pain and dysnea on exeration and pregradient pressure of 64 mm Hg or more on echocardiography were included. Patients were interviened with ballon-valvuloplasty. Outcome was taken as discharge from hospital with complications after procedure if any. Patients were followed up for 3 months. Data including age, sex, pre cath echocardiography, cath pulmonary valve annulus, post ballooning pulmonary valve (PV) gradient, PV gradient on echocardiography after intervention and follow up gradient on echocardiography at three months was documented. Data was analyzed by SPSS 20. Chi square test and paired T - Test was applied where required. Results were taken as significant with p value <0.05. RESULTS: There were 51 patients, 35 (68.6%) male and 16 (31.4%) female. Mean age was 8.35±4.93 years. Mean pre cath gradient across the pulmonary valve on echocardiography was 109.14±31.44 mm Hg. Post intervention mean pressure gradient across PV was 32.41±11.49 mm Hg. Pulmonary valve annulus on echocardiography before intervention ranged from 7 to 25 mm with mean of 14.67±3.79 mm. There was no complication in majority (82.4%) of patients. Mild PR was in 5 (9.8%) patients. There was significant relationship between pre and post intervention pressure gradient across PV valve with p value of <0.001. CONCLUSIONS: Balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty in one of the safest intervention for PS in children with few complications.

Elabela: A Novel Biomarker for Right Ventricular Pressure Overload in Children With Pulmonary Stenosis or Pulmonary Atresia With Intact Ventricular Septum.

Background: Assessing right ventricular overload in children is challenging. We conducted this study involving children with pulmonary valvular stenosis (PS) or pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS) to evaluate the potential of a new endogenous ligand of apelin receptor, Elabela (ELA), as a potential biomarker for right heart overload. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, a total of 118 congenital heart diseases patients with right ventricle outflow tract obstruction were recruited from 2018 to 2019. Among them, 44 isolated PS and 7 PA/IVS patients were selected. Their venous blood was collected, and all patients underwent an echocardiographic examination. Among them, post-operative blood was collected from 24 patients with PS after percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty. The plasma ELA concentration was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The ELA was significantly associated with the peak transvalvular pulmonary gradient (r = -0.62; p = 0.02), thus reflecting the severity of PS or PA/IVS. The ELA significantly increased at 3 days after intervention, when mechanical obstruction of the right outflow tract was relieved. Based on the receiver-operator characteristic curve results, ELA could be a risk factor for duct dependence in patients with critical PS or PA/IVS who are younger than 6 months (AUC: 0.82). Conclusion: ELA concentration and severity of PS or PA/IVS had a significant negative correlation, indicating that ELA might be a novel biomarker for right ventricular afterload and reflect the immediate pressure changes in the right heart. Furthermore, ELA could predict duct-dependency in PS and PA/IVS patients, as valuable as classical echocardiographic indexes.

Cardiac Catheterisation Interventions in Neonates and Infants Less Than Three Months.

INTRODUCTION: Pediatric cardiac catheterization interventions become an established way of care for selected patients with congenital heart diseases. Cardiac catheterization for neonates and small infants can be challenging. The indications for diagnostic cardiac catheterization have decreased with the advent of advanced non-invasive imaging modalities. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Between June 2012 and July 2017 patients less than three months who had cardiac catheterization in two centers were reviewed. RESULTS: During the study period, 174 patients underwent interventional cardiac catheterization,83.3% of them had CHD with two-ventricle circulation and 29 patients (16.7%) had single ventricle pathophysiology. Procedures include diagnostic cath, BAS, balloon pulmonary and aortic valvuloplasty, coarctation angioplasty, and stenting procedures. The vascular access depends upon the type of procedure. All except one had general anesthesia. ICU admission was required on 106 patients (62%). Patients were divided according to the type of cardiac lesion (single versus biventricular pathology) as well as according to the type of intervention (stenting and non-stenting procedures). Comparing these groups revealed that: stent procedures and procedures for patients with single ventricle pathologies were performed at an earlier age, with more contrast, fluoro and procedure time than for non-stent procedures and procedures for patients with biventricular pathologies. Complications include transient arrhythmias in most patients, perforation of the RVOT in one and lower limb hypoperfusion in 12 patients. ICU complications include low cardiac output symptoms (LCOS) in 10 (7%), and sepsis in 8. No intra-procedure mortality. The overall survival was 94%. Ten patients died, with one early and 9 late mortality. 60% of the dead patients had PDA stenting. Reintervention varies according to the patient's diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Cardiac catheterization intervention an important modality in the management of neonates and infants with critical CHD. Well planned procedures and team expertise are essential. Stenting procedures and procedures for patients with single ventricles carries higher morbidity and mortality.

Mechanism of the right ventricular reverse remodeling after balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty in patients with congenital pulmonary stenosis: A three-dimensional echocardiographic study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The main effect of pulmonary stenosis is a rise in right ventricular pressure. This pressure overload leads to multiple changes in the shape, dimensions, and volumes of the right ventricle (RV) that are reversed after the relieve of the valve obstruction. We thought to study the changes in the RV in patients undergoing balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (BPV) using three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study included 50 patients with isolated valvular pulmonary stenosis who underwent BPV at our hospital from December 2016 to August 2017; echocardiography was recorded preprocedural and 3 months after the procedural. RESULTS: The median age of the study group at the time of the procedure was 2.7 years. The indexed RV wall thickness, basal, and mid-right ventricular dimensions decreased significantly after the procedure (P < 0.005), and the longitudinal dimension increased significantly after the procedure (P < 0.005). The end-systolic and the end-diastolic volumes (EDVs) by 3D echocardiography increased insignificantly (P > 0.05), and the right ventricular function increased significantly (P < 0.05), indicating that the changes in the EDVs were more than the changes in the end-systolic volumes. CONCLUSIONS: There are several factors that interplay together and result in reverse remodeling of the RV after BPV including regression in the RV hypertrophy; changes in the interventricular septal morphology, bowing, and mobility; and changes in the ventricular geometry and dimensions, rather than changes in the ventricular volumes.

Outcomes After Transcatheter Reintervention for Dysfunction of a Previously Implanted Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this analysis was to evaluate outcomes following transcatheter reintervention for degenerated transcatheter pulmonary valves (TPVs). BACKGROUND: TPV replacement (TPVR) with the Melody valve demonstrated sustained relief of right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) obstruction and pulmonary regurgitation. METHODS: All patients who underwent TPVR with a Melody valve as part of 3 Medtronic-sponsored prospective multicenter studies were included. Transcatheter reinterventions included balloon dilation of the previously implanted Melody valve, placement of a bare-metal stent within the implanted TPV, or placement of a new TPV in the RVOT (TPV-in-TPV). Indications for reintervention, decisions to reintervene, and the method of reintervention were at physician discretion. All patients provided written informed consent to participate in the trials, and each trial was approved by local or central Institutional Review Boards or ethics committees at participating sites. RESULTS: A total of 309 patients who underwent TPVR were discharged from the implantation hospitalization with Melody valves in place. Transcatheter reintervention on the TPV was performed in 46 patients. The first transcatheter reintervention consisted of TPV-in-TPV in 28 patients (median 6.9 years [quartile 1 to quartile 3: 5.2 to 7.8 years] after TPVR), simple balloon dilation of the implanted Melody valve in 17 (median 4.9 years [quartile 1 to quartile 3: 4.0 to 6.0 years] after TPVR), and bare-metal stent placement alone in 1 (4.4 years after TPVR). There were no major procedural complications. Overall, 4-year freedom from explant and from any later RVOT reintervention after the first reintervention were 83% and 60%, respectively. Freedom from repeat RVOT reintervention was longer in patients undergoing TPV-in-TPV than balloon dilation (71% vs. 46% at 4 years; p = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: TPV-in-TPV can be an effective and durable treatment for Melody valve dysfunction. Although balloon dilation of the Melody valve was also acutely effective at reducing RVOT obstruction, the durability of this therapy was limited in this cohort compared with TPV-in-TPV.

A novel double-balloon catheter for percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty under echocardiographic guidance only.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (PBPV) is the procedure of choice for uncomplicated severe or symptomatic pulmonary stenosis. Echocardiography (echo)-guided PBPV can completely avoid the use of radiation and contrast agents compared to fluoroscopy-guided PBPV. Although we have confirmed that echo-guided PBPV is feasible in humans, the poor visibility of the traditional catheter under echo greatly limits the promotion of this new technology. METHODS: We produced a novel double-balloon catheter to make the catheter easy to be detected by echo through adding a guiding balloon at the distal end of the catheter. Echo-guided PBPV was performed on thirty healthy swine using either a novel catheter or a traditional catheter to evaluate the feasibility and safety of the novel double-balloon catheter. The feasibility was evaluated by the success rate of balloon inflation at the pulmonary valve annulus and the operating time. The safety was evaluated by the frequency of balloon slippage and the incidence of complications. RESULTS: There were no significant between-group differences in terms of weight and the ratio of balloon diameter to pulmonary annulus diameter. The success rate was 93.3% and 60% in the novel and traditional groups, respectively. The novel group had significantly (p<0.05) lower mean procedure time (6.33±6.86min vs 24.8±9.79min) and lower frequency of balloon slippage (0.07±0.26 vs 0.53±0.52), arrhythmia (0.07±0.26 vs 0.47±0.52), and tricuspid regurgitation (6.7% vs 40%) than the traditional group. No myocardial hematoma or pericardial tamponade occurred in the novel catheter group. CONCLUSION: Although further studies and improvements are required, the study results indicate that the novel double-balloon catheter for echo-guided PBPV is feasible and safe.

The Author's Contributions to Echocardiography Literature (Part II-1991-2020).

The author's contribution up to 1990 was reviewed in part I and the echo contributions from 1991 to 2020 will be reviewed in part II. These include defining the relationship between the quantity of shunt across the atrial septal defect (ASD) and the diameter of ASD by echo and angio on the one side and the stretched diameter of the ASD on the other; echocardiographic assessment of balloon-stretched diameter of secundum ASDs; development of echocardiographic predictors of accomplishment of percutaneous closure of ASDs with the buttoned device, highlighting limitations of echocardiography in comprehensive assessment of mixed type of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection; description of follow-up echocardiographic results of transcatheter closure of ASD with buttoned device; review of ultrasound studies; depiction of collaborative echocardiographic and Doppler studies; echocardiographic appraisal of the outcome of balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty; editorials; ventricular septal aneurysm causing pulmonary outflow tract obstruction in the morphologic left ventricle in corrected transposition of the great arteries; dependability of echocardiographic assessment of angiographic minimal diameter of the ductus; occurrence of supravalvular pulmonary artery stenosis after a Nuss procedure; echocardiographic assessment of neonates who were suspected of having heart disease; role of echocardiographic studies in the appraisal of patent ductus arteriosus in the premature babies; and the role of pressure recovery in explaining differences between simultaneously measured Doppler and cardiac catheterization pressure gradients across outflow tract stenotic lesions.

Balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty in neonates with critical pulmonary stenosis: Jugular or femoral.

BACKGROUND: Critical pulmonary stenosis (PS) is one of the life-threatening congenital heart diseases which present during the neonatal period with cyanosis. Surgical valvotomy was once the procedure of choice for critical PS; however, balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (BPV) has now become the standard treatment. Although the procedure is usually simple, crossing the pulmonary valve from the femoral vein can be difficult, especially when severe tricuspid regurgitation and right atrium dilatation are present. In such patients, the maneuver can be simplified by using the right internal jugular vein approach. However, many operators are reluctant to use this approach because of unfamiliarity with the technique, potential complications, and paucity of reports. Until now, there is no literature describing BPV using the transjugular approach in neonates, also none directly comparing the transfemoral and transjugular approaches. OBJECTIVE: We compared transjugular with the transfemoral approach in terms of procedure time and complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study. Participants were neonates with critical PS undergoing BPV in the National Cardiovascular Center Harapan Kita from 2013 to 2018. RESULTS: Of 15 neonates undergoing BPV, eight were done using the transjugular approach and seven using the femoral approach. Mean age and weight in both groups was similar. In all eight patients using transjugular approach, crossing the pulmonary valve was consistently quick and easy. The total procedural time, pulmonary crossing time, and fluoro time was significantly shorter using the transjugular approach (65 ± 8 vs. 108 ± 17.8 min, P < 0.05; 22 ± 3.1 vs. 45 ± 14.8 min, P < 0.01; 29 ± 13 vs. 67 ± 35 min, P < 0.05). There were no complications relating to vascular access. Moreover, the BPV procedure itself demonstrated comparable results in both groups. CONCLUSION: BPV using the transjugular approach is safe and effective to relieve critical PS in neonates compared to the transfemoral approach.

Long-term outcomes up to 25 years following balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty: A multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate long-term outcomes following balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (BPV) for pulmonary stenosis (PS). BACKGROUND: Long-term data following BPV is limited to small, single center studies. METHODS: BPV from April 12, 1985 to January 7, 2015 from three centers were included. Outcomes studied were ≥ moderate PI by echocardiogram and residual PS ≥ 40 mm Hg. Risk factors for ≥ moderate PI, residual PS, and repeat intervention were assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Among 254 patients, mean age at BPV was 3.8 years (range 1 day-67 years), initial PS catheter gradient was 56 mm Hg (IQR 40-70), 19% had critical PS, and 9% had genetic syndromes. Mean follow-up duration was 7.5 years (maximum 25 years). Sixty-nine (29%) had ≥ moderate PI, 41 patients (17%) had residual PS > 40 mm Hg, and 31 (13%) had re-intervention. In univariate analysis, younger age, lower weight, greater initial PS gradient, greater initial RV/systemic pressure ratio, critical PS, and longer follow-up duration were associated with ≥ moderate PI. Greater initial PS gradient was associated with long-term residual PS or repeat intervention. In multivariate analysis, greater initial gradient and lower weight were independently associated with > moderate PI and greater initial PS gradient and genetic abnormality were independently associated with residual PS and repeat intervention. CONCLUSION: Smaller patients with greater initial PS were more likely to develop significant long-term PI. Patients with greater initial PS and genetic abnormalities were more likely to have residual PS or require repeat intervention following BPV.