[Percutaneous bursting of the pulmonary valve]

In a 25-year-old female patient with pulmonary valve stenosis valvuloplasty could be successfully performed using a balloon catheter inserted via the femoral vein. Balloon measurements were 2 cm width and 3 cm length, the required pressure was 5 atm. There was a decrease of the pressure gradient form 60 to 25 mm Hg, systolic right ventricular pressure decreased from 88 to 50 mm Hg. Besides transluminal angioplasty of coronary stenoses and non-surgical occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus thus a further catheter technique for treatment of organic heart disease has become available, being able to replace surgery.