Hybrid balloon valvuloplasty through the ascending aorta via median sternotomy in infants with severe congenital valvular aortic stenosis: feasibility of a new method†.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate a novel hybrid balloon valvuloplasty procedure for severe congenital valvular aortic stenosis in low-weight infants, performed through the ascending aorta via median sternotomy. METHODS Eighteen infants (<90 days of age) with severe congenital aortic stenosis were included in this study. Hybrid balloon valvuloplasty procedures were performed in a hybrid operating room. Patients were followed up at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and then annually following the procedure. RESULTS The hybrid balloon valvuloplasty procedure was successful in all patients. Eight patients were successfully rescued from left ventricular systolic dysfunction by cardiac compression under direct vision. The aortic valve pressure gradient decreased from 80.3 ± 20.8 mmHg preoperatively to 16.0 ± 3.6 mmHg immediately postoperatively (P < 0.001). None of the patients developed significant aortic insufficiency. The fluoroscopy time was 6.2 ± 2.9 min. Intraoperative blood transfusions and pacing were not required. The patients were all alive and healthy at the end of the follow-up period (mean 21.3 months; range 3-41 months), and the aortic valve pressure gradient remained low (21.7 ± 5.3 mmHg). Reintervention was not required in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS Hybrid balloon valvuloplasty through the ascending aorta via median sternotomy is an effective and safe procedure for infants with severe congenital aortic stenosis.