Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Replacement: A Current Review

Abstract

Since first reported in 2000, transcatheter (percutaneous) pulmonary valve (TPV) replacement has become an important tool for the management postoperative right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) dysfunction in patients with congenital heart disease, either as alternative or adjunct to surgery. Implantation of a pulmonary valve for treatment of RVOT obstruction or pulmonary regurgitation without performing open-heart surgery offers obvious appeal, and short-term results from multiple institutions throughout the world support the effectiveness and safety of this therapy. At present, there are two TPV prostheses available in the U.S.: the Medtronic Melody® valve is available commercially, and the Edwards Sapien® valve is available at limited centers as part of an investigational protocol. Although TPV therapy is likely to have a major impact on the management of postoperative RVOT dysfunction in patients with congenital heart disease or a Ross procedure, the technology is young and there is much that remains to be learned.