title: [Balloon dilation of critical neonatal aortic stenosis: early and midterm results].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated our immediate and midterm results of balloon dilation of critical valvular aortic stenosis in 15 consecutive neonates.
  
  
  METHODS
  Balloon dilatation was attempted in 15 neonates at a mean age of 14 days. Three patients (20%) had associated left heart hypoplasia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Balloon dilation could be performed in 14 out of the 15 neonates (93.3%). The average immediate maximal gradient reduction was 80 +/- 26%. The immediate mortality rate was nil, but 7 deaths (46%) occurred afterwards all not related to the dilation. Moderate to severe aortic regurgitation was noted in 7/14 (50%) of the dilated neonates but none has necessitated reintervention. At a mean follow-up of 11.5 months, survival and freedom of reintervention rates were respectively 40% and 50%. At last follow-up, 87.5% of the survivors were asymptomatic.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study confirms that dilation of aortic stenosis in neonates is effective, with encouraging immediate success but still disappointing short and midterm results.
authors.affiliation: Service de Pédiatrie, Hôpital Tel-Chiha, Zahlé, Liban.
authors.forename: Julien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lteif
authors.forename: Issam
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: El-Rassi
authors.forename: Ghassan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chéhab
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Abdelmassih
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Daou
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gerbaka
authors.forename: Ramzi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ashoush
authors.forename: Zakhia
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Saliba
mesh_terms: D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D002404:Catheterization; D016638:Critical Illness; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012086:Reoperation; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome