[Balloon dilation of critical neonatal aortic stenosis: Early and midterm results]

ABSTRACT

We evaluated our immediate and midterm results of balloon dilation of critical valvular aortic stenosis in 15 consecutive neonates. Balloon dilation was attempted in 15 neonates at a mean age of 14 days. Three patients [20%] had associated left heart hypoplasia. Balloon dilation could be performed in 14 out of the 15 neonates [93.3%]. The average immediate maximal gradient reduction was 80 +/- 26%. The immediate mortality rate was nil, but 7 deaths [46%] occurred afterwards all not related to the dilation. Moderate to severe aortic regurgitation was noted in 7/14 [50%] of the dilated neonates but none has necessitated reintervention. At a mean follow-up of 11.5 months, survival and freedom of reintervention rates were respectively 40% and 50%. At last follow-up, 87.5% of the survivors were asymptomatic. This study confirms that dilation of aortic stenosis in neonates is effective, with encouraging immediate success but still disappointing short and midterm results: