Percutaneous balloon dilatation of stenotic truncal valve in a newborn

We describe the use of percutaneous balloon angioplasty of a stenotic truncal valve in a newborn with a common arterial trunk. A 12 mm balloon catheter was chosen, this representing 80% of the diameter of the ventriculo-truncal junction. The peak systolic gradient dropped from 45 to 15 mm Hg. The procedure can avoid, or certainly delay, surgical treatment of the stenotic truncal valve.