Melody Mitral Valve Is a Promising Alternative to Mechanical Valve Replacement for Young Children.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes of Melody mitral valve to mechanical mitral valve replacement (MVR) for young children. DESCRIPTION Children who underwent Melody MVR from 2014 to 2020 were case-matched to mechanical MVR patients. Transplant-free survival and cumulative incidence of reintervention were compared. A subanalysis was performed for infants aged < 1 year (9 Melody MVRs and their matches). EVALUATION Twelve children underwent Melody MVR. Two children (17%) salvaged from mechanical support died. Five of 10 survivors (50%) had subsequent MVR. At 1 and 3 years, transplant-free survival (Melody 83%, 83%; mechanical 83%, 67%; P = .180) and reintervention (Melody 9%, 39%; mechanical 0%, 18%; P = .18) were equivalent between groups. For children < 1 year of age, Melody MVR had a modest survival benefit (Melody 89%, 89%; mechanical 80%, 60%; P = .046), while rate of reintervention remained equivalent (Melody 13%, 32%; mechanical 0%, 22%; P = .32). CONCLUSIONS: For patients < 1 year old, Melody MVR offers a promising alternative and is a reasonable bridge to mechanical MVR, which can be performed safely at an older age. Further studies are necessary to corroborate these findings.