Does mild pulmonary stenosis progress during childhood? A study of its natural course.
BACKGROUND
Increase in the gradient in congenital pulmonary valvular stenosis during follow-up is a subject of controversy and could determine the need for treatment in pediatric patients.


OBJECTIVE
It is postulated that a gradient <50 mmHg shows a stable or decreasing tendency at follow-up for congenital pulmonary valvular stenosis.


METHODS
Thirty-five patients with pulmonary stenosis, isolated and not treated, were followed for 7 years (interquartilic rank 5.7 years) at 1.5-year intervals. Clinical and complementary tests (electrocardiogram, x-ray, Doppler echocardiogram) were undertaken. The gradient was measured by Doppler and by using the clinical formula derived from the New England Study (Ellison). The changes observed from the initial to the final consultation were analyzed by means of the Student's t-test, paired Wilcoxon, and Pearson correlation coefficient.


RESULTS
No significant changes were noted on symptoms or physical examination. Signs of cardiac enlargement diminished on both ECG (R wave in V1, p<0.0001) and x-ray (cardiothoracic ratio, p<0.0007), with a decreasing gradient trend during the follow-up period (p<0.026) as well.


CONCLUSIONS
The gradient trend confirms the stable nature of mild pulmonary stenosis. In our study, we found that patients aged >6 months, whose gradients were below 40 mmHg at the time of diagnosis, remained stable and required no treatment. Furthermore, the follow-up control and clinical management of these patients may then be performed at intervals of 2 years or more.
Ardura
Julio
J
Pediatric Cardiology, University Hospital, Facultad de Medicina,Valladolid, Spain. ardura@ped.uva.es
Gonzalez
Carmen
C
Andres
Jesus
J
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018450:Disease Progression; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011666:Pulmonary Valve Stenosis / Q000151:congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011859:Radiography; D012720:Severity of Illness Index