Percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation

Abstract

Between 12/2011 and 7/2018, percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation (PPVI) was performed in 23 patients (8 women, 15 men). In 22 patients, the Melody TPV (Medtronic) valve was used. The Sapien valve (Edwards Lifescience) was implanted in one patient. The median age at implantation was 19.0 years (IQR 15.4-27.1). The median follow-up duration was 2.6 years (IQR 1.1-4.5, maximum 5.9 years). There was no death during the whole follow-up period. PPVI resulted in an immediate improvement in the right ventricle to aortic pressure ratio and in a decrease in the right ventricle to pulmonary artery pressure gradient, p 0.001. Echocardiographic measurements showed a decrease in the systolic pressure gradient over the right ventricular outflow tract, p 0.001. Similarly, the degree of pulmonary regurgitation improved, p 0.001. During the follow-up period none of the patients needed another revalvulation procedure. PPVI is an effective strategy for right ventricular outflow tract revalvulation with excellent mid-term results.