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. ...

Aortic valve replacement in the setting of critical aortic valve stenosis with cardiogenic shock is associated with high mortality, yet surgery is the only definitive treatment. We present the case of a patient with critical aortic valve stenosis and cardiogenic shock who received a short period of percutaneous mechanical support and balloon aortic valvuloplasty that resulted in rapid clinical ...

BACKGROUND Transcatheter aortic valve implantation is currently being evaluated in patients with severe aortic stenosis who are considered high-risk surgical candidates. This study aimed to detect incidences, causes, and correlates of mortality in patients ineligible to participate in transcatheter aortic valve implantation studies. METHODS AND RESULTS From April 2007 to July 2009, a cohort o...

Experiences with invasive cardiac catheterization in low birth weight infants are few. In our clinic, we performed balloon aortic valvuloplasty by antegrade approach in a neonate weighing 1100 g with critical aortic stenosis, patent ductus arteriosus and atrial septal defect. The right femoral vein was accessed with a 4 Fr sheath, and a catheter was placed into the left ventricle from the atria...

The application of balloon aortic valvuloplasty to elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis and a low ventricular ejection fraction is undefined. Balloon aortic valvuloplasty was performed in a subset of 28 patients with low left ventricular ejection fraction (37 +/- 11%), severe aortic stenosis, and a mean age of 79 +/- 5 years. After valvuloplasty, significant increases were seen in aorti...

BACKGROUND Severe congenital aortic stenosis in infants is a life-threatening congenital heart anomaly that is typically treated using percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty. METHODS The usual route is the femoral artery under radiographic guidance. However, this procedure may be limited by the small size of the femoral artery in low-weight infants. An infant weighing only 7 kg with severe...

OBJECTIVES This study sought to evaluate whether supra-aortic angiography during preparatory balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) improves valve sizing. BACKGROUND Current recommendations for valve size selection are based on annular measurements by transesophageal echocardiography and computed tomography, but paravalvular aortic regurgitation (PAR) is a frequent problem. METHODS Data of 270 ...

BACKGROUND To investigate the methods of percutaneous transcatheter interventions for combined congenital heart disease and to evaluate its efficacy in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty cases (ages 3 days-13.5 years, body weight 3-35 kg) that underwent two multiple transcatheter interventions for combined or solitary congenital heart disease were retrospectively analyzed and presented. ...

The combination of severe aortic stenosis and end-stage liver disease increases the morbidity and mortality of surgical aortic valve replacement or orthotopic liver transplantation resulting in a prohibitive operative risk. We propose a staged approach of balloon aortic valvuloplasty prior to orthotopic liver transplantation as a bridge to definitive aortic valve replacement. Between 2010 and 2...