title: Surgical valvotomy and repair for neonatal and infant congenital aortic stenosis achieves better results than interventional catheterization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study sought to compare outcomes after surgical valvuloplasty and balloon dilation of the aortic valve in neonates and infants.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Surgical techniques of aortic valve repair have improved and there is today controversy on the best approach to treat neonatal congenital aortic valve stenosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of data and follow-up of 123 consecutive neonates and infants (35 females, 88 males) undergoing intervention for congenital aortic stenosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 1977 to 2009, 123 consecutive neonates (<30 days) and infants (31 days to 1 year) underwent relief of congenital aortic stenosis. Median age at procedure was 27 days (6 to 76 days). Twenty-year survival was 80 ± 7%. Fifty-four patients required a re-intervention and freedom from re-intervention was 55 ± 6% at 10 years and 40 ± 6% at 20 years. By multivariate analysis, having the relief of stenosis by balloon valvuloplasty and undergoing initial treatment as a neonate were predictive of re-intervention. Freedom from re-intervention at 5 years was 27% after balloon valvuloplasty versus 65% after surgery. At latest follow-up, an additional 16 patients had moderate or severe stenosis and 8 had regurgitation. Freedom from re-intervention or stenosis was 39 ± 5% at 15 years. By multivariate analysis, balloon valvuloplasty (p < 0.001) and treatment as a neonate (p = 0.003) were again predictive of stenosis or re-intervention. Thirty-five patients ultimately needed a valve replacement. Significant predictor of the requirement of valve replacement was unicuspid aortic valve (p < 0.001). Freedom from valve replacement was 55 ± 7% at 20 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgical valvuloplasty remains the best approach to treat neonates and infants with congenital aortic stenosis. After surgery, a higher proportion of patients remain free of re-intervention than after interventional catheterization and the relief of their stenosis lasts longer.
authors: University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
authors: Javariah
authors: J
authors: Siddiqui
authors: Christian P
authors: CP
authors: Brizard
authors: John C
authors: JC
authors: Galati
authors: Ajay J
authors: AJ
authors: Iyengar
authors: Darren
authors: D
authors: Hutchinson
authors: Igor E
authors: IE
authors: Konstantinov
authors: Gavin R
authors: GR
authors: Wheaton
authors: James M
authors: JM
authors: Ramsay
authors: Yves
authors: Y
authors: d'Udekem
mesh_terms: D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D001017:Aortic Coarctation / Q000453:epidemiology; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000151:congenital* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D063126:Balloon Valvuloplasty; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D015897:Comorbidity; D004695:Endocardial Fibroelastosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000453:epidemiology; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008946:Mitral Valve Stenosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: aortic valve; balloon valv.; balloon valvuloplasty; congenital heart disease; surgery