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Percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy using Inoue balloon in children less than 12 years

S S Kothari1, P Kamath, R Juneja

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. kothari@medinst.ernet.in

Insights

Percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC) is a safe and effective treatment for severe rheumatic mitral stenosis in children. Using a smaller balloon size than recommended may be equally effective and safer, with comparable outcomes and low complication rates.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Rheumatic Heart Disease

Background:

  • Rheumatic mitral stenosis frequently affects children globally.
  • Percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC) outcomes in pediatric populations are not extensively documented.
  • Severe mitral stenosis significantly impacts pediatric cardiac function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety and efficacy of PTMC using the Inoue balloon in children aged 7-12 years with severe rheumatic mitral stenosis.
  • To compare outcomes between children receiving the recommended balloon size (RBS) versus a smaller maximum balloon size (MBS).

Main Methods:

  • Forty-five children with severe rheumatic mitral stenosis underwent PTMC with the Inoue balloon.
  • Patients were divided into two groups: Group I (MBS = RBS) and Group II (MBS < RBS).
  • Hemodynamic parameters (PAW, diastolic gradient, MVA) and complications were assessed.

Main Results:

  • PTMC significantly reduced pulmonary artery wedge pressure and mean diastolic gradient, increasing mitral valve area (MVA).
  • Final MVA and complication rates (mitral regurgitation, atrial shunting) were comparable between groups, irrespective of balloon size.
  • No procedural deaths, systemic embolisms, or cardiac tamponades occurred.

Conclusions:

  • PTMC is a safe and effective intervention for severe rheumatic mitral stenosis in children under 12.
  • Utilizing a smaller balloon size than RBS may be equally effective and potentially safer, with similar clinical outcomes.
  • Long-term follow-up showed a low incidence of restenosis.

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