Percutaneous pulmonary valvuloplasty.
At Guy's Hospital percutaneous pulmonary valvuloplasty has been performed in 30 children with pulmonary valve stenosis. In 24 cases the results were satisfactory. There was little change in the stenoses of six children; three of these were found to have dysplastic valves at surgery. One child had a valvuloplasty performed twice. Follow up in eight children has shown the long term success of the procedure with no complications. Before percutaneous pulmonary valvuloplasty was available the only treatment for pulmonary valvular stenosis was surgery. This entailed a lengthy stay in hospital, a long postoperative period and an unsightly midline chest scar. The average length of time spent in hospital for surgery is two weeks, and for valvuloplasty a few days. Percutaneous pulmonary valvuloplasty should be considered as the initial treatment of choice for most congenital pulmonary valve stenosis. It is safe, effective, can be performed at any age and can reduce the risks of surgery.
D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D002648:Child; D004106:Dilatation; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011664:Pulmonary Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011666:Pulmonary Valve Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011859:Radiography