title: Foetal aortic valvuloplasty: experience of five cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Foetal aortic valvuloplasty has been proposed as a strategy to improve left heart growth and function in foetuses with severe aortic stenosis at risk of progression to hypoplastic left heart syndrome. We report our experience with this intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between 2005 and 2010, five foetuses with aortic stenosis and at risk of progression to hypoplastic left heart syndrome underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous foetal aortic valvuloplasty. There were no associated maternal complications or foetal demise. In one case, the pregnancy was terminated a couple of weeks after the intervention, one foetus evolved to hypoplastic left heart syndrome, and three did not.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Foetal aortic valvuloplasty seems to be a safe and feasible procedure. It has been reported that it has the potential to prevent progression to hypoplastic left heart syndrome in selected foetuses with severe aortic stenosis. Further investigation regarding physiological and clinical aspects of this disease both prenatally and postnatally will probably allow to improve therapeutic strategies and clinical outcome.
authors: Fetal Medicine Unit, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Acassuso, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: Pablo
authors: P
authors: Marantz
authors: Horacio
authors: H
authors: Aiello
authors: Sofía
authors: S
authors: Grinenco
authors: Gustavo
authors: G
authors: Izbizky
authors: Gabriela
authors: G
authors: Peña
authors: Luis
authors: L
authors: Trentacoste
authors: Miguel
authors: M
authors: Granja
authors: Lucas
authors: L
authors: Otaño
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D063126:Balloon Valvuloplasty / Q000379:methods*; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D018636:Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D055815:Young Adult