Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 18, 2026
Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Replacement from Autologous Pericardium with a Self-Expandable Nitinol Stent in an Adult Sheep Model
Published on: June 8, 2022
First Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Replacement in Tanzania: Feasibility of Advanced Cardiac Interventions in
Megha B Unadkat1, Deogratias Nkya2, Stella Mongella1
1Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Background:
Transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation (TPVI) has emerged as a viable alternative to surgical pulmonary valve replacement for patients with congenital heart disease and right ventricular outflow tract dysfunction. However, its adoption in low-resource settings has been limited.
Case Summary:
We report the first successful TPVI procedures in Tanzania. Case 1 involved a 16-year-old male with Noonan syndrome and prior homograft conduit for pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect. Case 2 was a 16-year-old female with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot who had undergone prior surgical valve replacement with a Trifecta valve. Both patients presented with severe right ventricular outflow tract dysfunction and underwent successful TPVI with a 20-mm Melody valve (Medtronic) without complications. Postprocedural imaging confirmed hemodynamic improvement and symptom relief.
Discussion:
These first-in-country cases demonstrate the feasibility of TPVI in resource-limited settings. Broader implementation will require cost-reduction strategies, industry collaboration, and provider training to overcome financial and technical barriers.
Take-Home Message:
TPVI can be safely implemented in low- and middle-income countries through structured planning and partnerships.
