A Hybrid Strategy for Geometrical Reshaping of the Main Pulmonary Artery and Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Replacement

Transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement has become an attractive alternative to surgical approach in patients with dysfunctional right ventricular outflow tract. However, in certain cases, an unfavorable anatomy might complicate optimal valve deployment and stability. Several techniques have been described to reshape the landing zone and allow proper implantation of the transcatheter valve. Among them, the hybrid approach has gained attention as an interesting method for off-pump pulmonary valve replacement in patients with dilated right ventricular outflow tract. But to date, there is no standardized method to resize and reshape the landing zone for the stented valve. Here, we describe a reproducible method based on simple geometric rules to allow adequate remodeling of the main pulmonary artery to the desired dimensions in a single attempt, followed by perventricular implantation of a Venus P-valve.

Transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation: valve technology and procedural outcome

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Procedural technique and short-term outcomes of transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation (TPVI) have been widely described. The purpose of this article is to provide an update on current valve technology, and to focus on recent data surrounding TPVI in the dilated right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), hybrid interventions, significant outcomes, and procedural costs.

RECENT FINDINGS

Transcatheter valve technology has expanded with current trials evaluating self-expandable valves that can be implanted in dilated RVOTs. Until those valves are widely available, hybrid techniques have been shown to offer a potential alternative in these patients, as well as in patients of small size. Although medium-term results of TPVI have shown 5-year freedom from reintervention or replacement of 76%, new data have underlined some concerns relating to bacterial endocarditis after the procedure. Procedural costs remain a concern, but vary greatly between institutions and healthcare systems.

SUMMARY

TPVI has emerged as one of the most innovative procedures in the treatment of patients with dysfunctional RVOT and pulmonary valves. Further device development is likely to expand the procedure to patients of smaller size and with complex, dilated RVOTs.

Percutaneous Pulmonary Valve Implantation in the Native Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Using a 29-mm Edwards SAPIEN 3 Valve

Percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation is now an acceptable treatment option. The Edwards SAPIEN valve, intended for transcatheter aortic valve implantation, has been used in patients whose landing zone diameter is >22 to 24 mm which is not suitable for Melody valve. We report a patient in whom we successfully placed the latest generation, Edwards SAPIEN 3 (ES3) in the pulmonary position. However, because of the short covered portion of this valve, there was a significant paravalvular leak through the stent struts requiring implantation of a second ES3 valve.