MODIFIED TECHNIQUE FOR BALLOON VALVULOPLASTY OF CRITICAL PULMONARY STENOSIS IN THE NEWBORN

Objectives. We report our experience in eight consecutive neonates who underwent attempted balloon dilation as an initial therapy for critical valvular pulmonary stenosis, and we review in detail technical modifications that improved the success rate. Background. Balloon dilation of the pulmonary valve has become the treatment of choice for valvular pulmonary stenosis in children and adults. There are few reports of its effectiveness in critical pulmonary stenosis in the newborn. In this setting, application of the technique of balloon dilation has been limited by the ability to advance the necessary guide wires and catheters across the stenotic, often near-atretic, pulmonary valve. Methods. The pulmonary valve was crossed in all patients, When this could not be accomplished with an end-hole catheter, a soft guide wire was advanced directly across the pulmonary valve through the end hole catheter positioned in the right ventricular outflow tract below the valve. Initial predilation was achieved in all patients by using a coronary dilation catheter in an effort to facilitate introduction of the definitive balloon dilation catheter. Definitive dilation with a balloon diameter of greater than or equal to 110% of the diameter of the pulmonary valve annulus was possible in six patients. Results. Right ventricular pressure declined from a mean value of 108 +/- 32 mm Hg to a mean value of 49 +/- 11 mm Hg after balloon dilation, with no change in heart rate or aortic pressure in these six patients after definitive balloon dilation. Conclusions. The results of this small series suggest that critical valvular pulmonary stenosis in the newborn can be successfully treated by transluminal balloon valvuloplasty.