Treatment of pulmonary vein stenosis with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene covered stents

An Unusual Cause of Shortness of Breath: Pulmonary Vein Stenosis After Surgical Mitral Valve Replacement

A 79-year-old man with prior bioprosthetic mitral valve replacement presented with progressive shortness of breath and was found to have right upper pulmonary vein stenosis and paravalvular leak diagnosed with the use of multimodal imaging. The patient underwent balloon angioplasty, stenting of the pulmonary vein, and paravalvular leak closure with ultimate resolution of symptoms. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).

Treatment of Congenital and Acquired Pulmonary Vein Stenosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) is a rare entity that until the last 2 decades was seen primarily in infants and children. Percutaneous and surgical interventions have limited success due to relentless restenosis, and mortality remains high. In adults, acquired PVS following ablation for atrial fibrillation has emerged as a new syndrome. This work will review these two entities with emphasis on current treatment.

RECENT FINDINGS

Greater emphasis on understanding and addressing the mechanism of restenosis for congenital PVS has led to the use of drug-eluting stents (DES) and systemic drug therapy to target neo-intimal growth. Frequent reinterventions are positively affecting outcomes. Longer-term outcomes of percutaneous treatment for acquired PVS are emerging. Treatment of congenital PVS continues to be plagued by restenosis. DES show promise, but frequent reinterventions are required. Larger upstream vein diameter predicts success for congenital and acquired PVS interventions. Efforts to induce/maintain vessel growth are important for future treatment strategies.

Clinical outcomes after the endovascular treatments of pulmonary vein stenosis in patients with congenital heart disease

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) is a condition with challenging treatment and leads to severe cardiac failure and pulmonary hypertension. Despite aggressive surgical or catheter-based intervention, the prognosis of PVS is unsatisfactory. This study aimed to assess the prognosis and to establish appropriate treatment strategies.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed endovascular treatments for PVS (2001-2017) from the clinical database at the Okayama University Hospital.

RESULTS

A total of 24 patients underwent PVS associated with total anomalous pulmonary venous connection and 7 patients underwent isolated congenital PVS. In total, 53 stenotic pulmonary veins were subjected to endovascular treatments; 40 of them were stented by hybrid (29) and percutaneous procedures (11) (bare-metal stent, n = 34; drug-eluting stent, n = 9). Stent size of hybrid stenting was larger than percutaneous stenting. Median follow-up duration from the onset of PVS was 24 months (4-134 months). Survival rate was 71 and 49% at 1 and 5 years, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between stent placement and survival; however, patients who underwent bare-metal stent implantation had statistically better survival than those who underwent drug-eluting stent implantation or balloon angioplasty. Early onset of stenosis, timing of stenting, and small vessel diameter of pulmonary vein before stenting were considered as risk factors for in-stent restenosis. Freedom from re-intervention was 50 and 26% at 1 and 2 years.

CONCLUSIONS

To improve survival and stent patency, implantation of large stent is important. However, re-intervention after stenting is also significant to obtain good outcome.

Management Of Pulmonary Vein Stenosis Following Catheter Ablation Of Atrial Fibrillation

There is limited literature available regarding PV (pulmonary vein) stenosis management. Starting from its incidence, subsequent follow up using imaging technologies to monitor the success and the way of managing different groups pose varied opinions. However, with newer technological advancements and better understanding of mechanism of the atrial fibrillation ablation, the incidence of PV stenosis secondary to catheter ablation is declining. This paper highlights the current trends and future of management of PV stenosis secondary to catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Percutaneous pulmonary vein stenosis angioplasty complicated by rupture: successful stenting with a polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stent

A 47-year-old-man with prior pulmonary vein (PV) isolation for atrial fibrillation developed progressive shortness of breath and was found to have total occlusion of the left lower and significant stenosis in left upper PV. A ventilation/perfusion scan showed decreased left lung perfusion. Percutaneous PV stenosis angioplasty was complicated by the rupture of left lower PV with pericardial tamponade; successful stenting with a polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stent was performed. Follow-up studies at nine months showed patency of both veins with a normal ventilation perfusion scan. In this article, we will discuss acquired PV stenosis following PV isolation, percutaneous PV intervention, and the literature supporting the procedure.

Angioplasty of acquired pulmonary vein stenosis using covered stent

One of the most serious complications post-catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation is the development of pulmonary vein stenosis. Controversy currently exists about the optimal treatment approach. The use of balloons and larger stents (~10 mm) results in more optimal outcome than just balloon angioplasty alone; however, even with stent implantation, recurrent restenosis may occur in 30 to 50% of patients. We report the case of a 28-year-old man who developed recurrent left inferior pulmonary vein stenosis following radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation. This was initially stented with good result but soon after developed restenosis and required balloon angioplasty. Following the third episode of restenosis, stenting of the pulmonary vein was performed using a covered stent. The pulmonary vein has remained patent for the last 5 years.

Cryo-balloon angioplasty for pulmonary vein stenosis in pediatric patients

This study sought to determine the safety and effectiveness of cryo-balloon angioplasty (CbA) for pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) in pediatric patients. Current therapy options for PVS are less than satisfactory due to recurrent progressive restenosis and neointimal proliferation. Catheterization database, hospital records, imaging studies, and pathologic specimens were reviewed for procedural-related and outcomes data in all patients who underwent pulmonary vein (PV) CbA using the Boston Scientific PolarCath Peripheral Dilation System between August 2006 and June 2009. Thirteen patients (19 PVs; median age 13 months [range 3.5 months to 18.5 years] and weight 7.9 kg [range 3.8 to 47.7]) underwent CbA. Mean PVS diameter after CbA increased from 2.19 (± 0.6) to 3.77 (± 1.1) mm (p < 0.001). Mean gradient decreased from 14 (± 7.4) to 4.89 (± 3.2) mm Hg (p < 0.001). Mean stenosis-to-normal vein diameter ratio increased from 0.52 (± 0.15) to 0.89 (± 0.33) (p < 0.001). Eight patients underwent repeat catheterization a mean of 5.6 months (± 3.66) later. Improved PVS diameter was maintained in 2 PVs. Four veins had restenosis but maintained diameters greater than that before initial CbA. In 11 PVs, the diameter decreased from 4.28 (± 1.14) to 2.53 (± 0.9) mm (p = 0.001). Mean gradient increased from 3.55 (± 3.0) to 14.63 (± 9.6) mm Hg (p = 0.011). All vessels underwent repeat intervention with acute relief of PVS. Stroke occurred within 24 h of CbA in 1 patient. CbA of PVS is safe and results in acute relief of stenosis. However, CbA appears minimally effective as the sole therapy in maintaining long-term relief of PVS.

Congenital narrowing of a pulmonary vein: slit-like pulmonary vein ostium

We report the case of a 60-year-old female with a history of refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Preablation contrast enhanced pulmonary vein computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a slit-like narrowing of the left inferior pulmonary vein ostium. The narrowing measured approximately 3 mm, with poststenotic dilation. The patient had no prior history of ablation. The patient subsequently underwent segmental antral isolation of all four pulmonary veins and cavo-tricuspid isthmus ablation with bidirectional block. The diagnosis of preexisting congenital pulmonary vein stenosis had an impact on the type of ablation procedure performed (antral rather than ostial) and will affect the interpretation of postablation CT scans.

Surgical management of post-repair pulmonary vein stenosis

Obstructed pulmonary venous drainage - either in association with total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, congenital stenosis, or post-repair stenosis - is associated with poor outcome. Post-repair stenosis typically involves fibrotic scar tissue extending from the site of anastomosis. "Sutureless" repair techniques avoid direct left atrial-pulmonary vein suture lines by instead reconstituting atrial tissue to posterior pericardium. Hence, the repair leaves widely decompressed pulmonary veins in the posterior mediastinum draining directly into the left atrium as a 'controlled bleed.' In our experience, late outcomes are significantly more favorable with sutureless repair techniques versus conventional pulmonary vein surgery. Therefore, after these encouraging results, we have now extended the application of this repair strategy to all scenarios of pulmonary vein surgery, including primary repair of unobstructed total anomalous pulmonary venous connection. The sutureless repair is versatile and facile. In particular, complex geometry of multiple decompressed veins can be easily accommodated by wide left atrial-pericardial suture lines. Common pitfalls can be avoided by mobilizing and protecting the phrenic pedicle and preserving the integrity of the areolar connective tissue and pleuro-parietal membrane. Overall, sutureless repair of anomalous or stenotic pulmonary veins appears safe and effective. Furthermore, in patients known to be at high risk of recurrent stenosis, sutureless techniques appear to offer improved freedom from recurrent stenosis.