Percutaneous Balloon Valvuloplasty for Aortic Stenosis in Newborns and Children

In all cases of congenital valvar aortic stenosis (AS), reduced effective orifice area leads to obstruction to flow, usually resulting from thickening and reduced motion of the valve leaflets. The most severe cases of valvar AS present soon after birth, with low cardiac output secondary to left ventricular dysfunction. Interventional treatment options consist of open surgical valvotomy or balloon valvuloplasty, with both therapies providing excellent but usually only temporary relief of stenosis. This article focuses on balloon aortic valvuloplasty as a therapy for congenital valvar AS in infants and children, focusing on established techniques, outcomes, and future challenges.