First-in-Human Percutaneous Balloon Pulmonary Valvuloplasty Under Echocardiographic Guidance Only

The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (PBPV) under echocardiographic guidance only.

PBPV has become the preferred choice for pulmonary valve stenosis (PS). We report the first-in-human successful PBPV under only echocardiography guidance for isolated PS.

From March 2013 to December 2014, 34 patients with congenital PS underwent PBPV with echocardiography as the only imaging modality in the ordinary operation room or catheter lab. Outpatient follow-up including chest radiography, electrocardiography, and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was conducted at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.

All 34 patients successfully underwent PBPV under echocardiography guidance without radiation and contrast agent. The pulmonic transvalvular pressure gradient dropped from 62.8 ± 10.1 mm Hg to 14.7 ± 4.2 mm Hg measured on catheterization (P < .05). The balloon diameter/pulmonary annulus diameter ratio was 1.34 ± 0.07. Slight regurgitation of the pulmonary valve occurred in five patients and mild pulmonary regurgitation occurred in one patients. The pulmonic transvalvular pressure gradient measured on TTE 12 months after the procedure was 14.1 ± 4.6 mm Hg. No pericardial effusion and peripheral vascular complications occurred.

This study demonstrated that PBPV can be successfully performed under only echocardiography guidance and appears safe and effective while avoiding radiation and contrast agent use.