Percutaneous pulmonary valve replacement

Coron Artery Dis. 2009 May;20(3):189-91. doi: 10.1097/MCA.0b013e328326c718.

Abstract

Percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation helps in prolonging the lifespan of surgically placed right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery (RV-PA) conduits, and represents a less invasive alternative to repeat open-heart surgery. The clinical indications for treatment match those of surgery. As far as the suitability is concerned, the current ideal substrate is a degenerated RV-PA conduit, because of the presence of a certain degree of calcification that offers a safe anchoring point. So far, patients have been treated with low morbidity and mortality that were further improved with increasing experience. After percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation, patients experience a subjective improvement, mirrored by an objective increase of measured exercise capacity parameters and by reduced RV-PA gradient, regurgitant fraction, and RV volumes. New developments in the experimental field should result in an extension of indications in the future.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cardiac Catheterization* / economics
  • Cardiac Catheterization* / instrumentation
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / economics
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / instrumentation
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / methods*
  • Humans
  • Patient Selection
  • Prosthesis Design
  • Pulmonary Valve / pathology*
  • Pulmonary Valve Insufficiency / pathology
  • Pulmonary Valve Insufficiency / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ventricular Outflow Obstruction / pathology
  • Ventricular Outflow Obstruction / therapy*