[Percutaneous pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty in Denmark]

Percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty of valvular pulmonary stenosis (PPB) was carried out for the first time in 1982 and is now regarded as the primary method of treatment of this condition. The results of the first PPB treatments in Denmark are presented here. PPB was planned in 28 patients and was carried out in 25 (22 children and 3 adults). PPB was carried out on two occasions in one patient. Twenty-three patients had isolated valvular pulmonary stenosis and two patients had Fallot's anomaly. No complications of significance occurred after the treatments. The average gradient for all dilatations was 77 +/- 24 mm Hg prior to and 36 +/- 23 (p less than 0.0001) immediately after PPB. The gradient was reduced by more than 50% in 68% of the patients. In 14 patients, the gradients over the pulmonary valve was measured by Doppler technique or by cardiac catheterization greater than 6 months after PPB. In these patients, the average gradient was 69 +/- 21 mm Hg prior to PPB, 29 +/- 12 mm Hg (p less than 0.0001) immediately after PPB and 27 +/- 9 mm Hg (p less than 0.0001) at the most recent control examination, on an average 12 months (range 6-24 months) after PPB. In the same patient group, significant reduction of the electrocardiographic right-sided hypertrophy was found at the most recent control examination. It is concluded that PPB is an effective and safe treatment of valvular pulmonary stenosis.