Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 17, 2025
Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Replacement from Autologous Pericardium with a Self-Expandable Nitinol Stent in an Adult Sheep Model
Published on: June 8, 2022
Left Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Palsy Following Self-Expanding Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Replacement
Mohamed Saber1, Alberto Fuensalida1, Tasneem Salih1
1Bristol Heart Institute, University Hospitals of Bristol and Weston Trust, Bristol, United Kingdom.
Background:
We describe a rare complication of transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement (TPVR) using a self-expanding Venus P-Valve (BVM Medical).
Case Summary:
A 28-year-old woman with repaired pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect underwent TPVR with a 34 mm × 25 mm self-expanding Venus P-Valve for symptomatic severe pulmonary regurgitation. Post-procedure, she developed persistent hoarseness of voice, later confirmed as left recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. Computed tomography suggested compression of the anatomical location of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve by the valve's distal struts near the left pulmonary artery (LPA). Surgical valve removal was deemed high risk.
Discussion:
This is the first reported case of left recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy following TPVR with a self-expanding valve. Vocal cord paralysis is a recognized but rare complication of LPA-related interventions, and most patients recover within 2 years.
Take-Home Message:
Awareness of this rare complication is important because TPVR with self-expandable valves is becoming more widely adopted.
