Use of a telescopic system for transcatheter radiofrequency perforation and balloon valvotomy in infants with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum.
BACKGROUND
Pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum is a complex congenital heart disease with great morphological variability. Approximately two-thirds of patients may be suitable for transcatheter pulmonary valvotomy. We reviewed our experience in the use of two different percutaneous approaches to evaluate the impact on fluoroscopy time and morbidity of a new technique to perform transcatheter radiofrequency perforation and valvotomy in newborns with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum.


RESULTS
In all, 31 patients underwent radiofrequency perforation of the pulmonary valve. The first 14 infants were treated using a 5 French Judkins right coronary catheter, which was manoeuvred directly underneath the atretic pulmonary valve (Group A). The others were treated using a telescopic system consisting of Northstar Lumax Flex and White Lumax Guiding Catheters (Cook; Group B). In both groups, after radiofrequency perforation of the pulmonary valve, a 0.014-inch superfloppy guidewire was advanced into the descending aorta and balloon dilations were performed. Required fluoroscopy time was significantly lower in Group B (48.5 ± 28.1 versus 24.9 ± 14.4 minutes, respectively; p < 0.01). A higher incidence of unfavourable events including the need for early surgery was found in Group A.


CONCLUSIONS
In our experience, telescopic catheter proved to be a valid option able to decrease the fluoroscopy time of percutaneous radiofrequency perforation of pulmonary valve and consequently patients’ exposure to procedure-related risks.
Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, Gaslini Insitute, Largo G. Gaslini 5, Genoa, Italy. sarabondanza@ospedale-gaslini.ge.it
Sara
S
Bondanza
Maria
M
Derchi
Giulia
G
Tuo
Lucio
L
Zannini
Maurizio
M
Marasini
D063126:Balloon Valvuloplasty / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D062906:Cardiac Catheters; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D061646:Operative Time; D018633:Pulmonary Atresia / Q000601:surgery*; D011664:Pulmonary Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome