A Low Residual Pressure Gradient Yields Excellent Long-Term Outcome After Percutaneous Pulmonary Valve Implantation

The aim of this study was to report long-term outcomes after percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation (PPVI).

Excellent short- and mid-term results after PPVI for right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) dysfunction have been reported. Data on long-term results after PPVI are scarce.

All 226 patients treated with PPVI at a single institution were prospectively enrolled in a database and included in the study. Follow-up information regarding outcomes was collected. Risk-factor analysis for death and reinterventions was performed.

Follow-up data (up to 11 years) were available in 96% of the patients. At the end of the study period, 219 patients (92.8%) still lived with the initially implanted valve. Seven patients died, 2 of them from procedure-related complications. Seventeen patients (7.2%) needed valve replacement surgically (n = 11) or percutaneously (n = 6) for infectious endocarditis (n = 10) or valve degeneration (n = 7). In the remaining patients, the valves retained excellent function, and right ventricular dimensions and exercise capacity improved. A post-interventional RVOT gradient >15 mm Hg was a risk factor for death (hazard ratio: 7.57; 95% confidence interval: 1.26 to 45.38; p = 0.027) and for valve failure (hazard ratio: 3.76; 95% confidence interval: 1.43 to 9.93; p = 0.007). The best outcome was achieved with RVOT pre-stenting and a post-interventional gradient <15 mm Hg, resulting in an estimated event-free survival rate of 88% at 10 years.

Patients after PPVI have excellent long-term outcomes. Right ventricular volumes, function, and exercise capacity improve significantly. A residual RVOT gradient <15 mm Hg was associated with the best outcome.