Radiofrequency perforation of pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum: and initial experience

ABSTRACT

Pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum is a category of cyanotic congenital heart disease which constitutes an emergency in critically-ill newborns. These patients are ductus dependent requiring prostaglandin E[1] infusions until a systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt is created or they undergo pulmonary valvotomy, either alone or combined with the shunt. Non-surgical [transcatheter] intervention using radiofrequency perforation techniques for the atretic pulmonary valve is now available as an alternative to surgery. We report successful applications of this technique in 3 patients who tolerated the procedure well and had encouraging follow-up results. We conclude that radiofrequency opening of atretic pulmonary valve will have a role in the treatment of pulmonary valve atresia with intact ventricular septum and will be a valuable alternative to surgical pulmonary valvotomy