ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of balloon coarctation angioplasty (BCA) in the management of patients with native coarctation of the aorta. BACKGROUND: BCA has emerged as an alternative to surgery for patients with native coarctation of the aorta. However, its role remains controversial. METHODS: Over a 7-year period, 103 patients undergoing BCA were enrolled in the study. Hemodynamic evaluation was obtained at baseline and immediately following BCA; 75% of patients returned for follow-up evaluation at 26 +/- 20 months. RESULTS: The systolic gradient across the coarcted segment decreased from 59 +/- 18 mmHg to 10 +/- 11 mmHg following BCA (p < 0.001). The procedure was successful in 82% of patients, and partial improvement was obtained in 17%. Repeat intervention was performed in 13% of the follow-up group. Surgical intervention was needed in 8 patients. CONCLUSION: Balloon angioplasty is an effective first-line intervention in patients with native coarctation of the aorta.
Subject(s)
Angioplasty, Balloon , Aortic Coarctation/therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Aortic Coarctation/diagnostic imaging , Aortic Coarctation/physiopathology , Aortography , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Hemodynamics , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Recurrence , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Balloon atrial septostomy remains an important interventional procedure in the pediatric age group. The incidence of potential complications using the conventional balloon ranges from 0-11%. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new low-profile end-hole septostomy balloon catheter with dual lumen, inserted via a 5F or 6F sheath. Seventeen neonates and infants with various forms of congenital heart disease requiring palliation underwent septostomy using the new catheter at a median age of 19 days (with a range of 1-593 days), and a median weight of 3.4 kg (a range of 2.5-8.4 kg). The aortic saturation increased from 72 +/- 20% to 87 +/- 7%, p < .001; and the gradient across the atrial septum decreased (a-wave gradient from 11.2 +/- 10.3 to 2.1 +/- 3.6 mm Hg; v-wave from 10.4 +/- 7.7 to 1.2 +/- 1.2 mm Hg; and mean gradient from 8.5 +/- 6.9 to 0.9 +/- 1.3 mm Hg, p < .002). The diameter of the defect increased from 2.7 +/- 1.7 mm to 8 +/- 2.3 mm, p < .001. There were no complications. We conclude that this new low-profile septostomy catheter is safe and effective in creating a large defect size between the atria. Because of the smaller inflation size of the balloon and smaller introducer sheath compared with the conventional catheter, this new septostomy catheter should be especially useful in small neonates.
