Published online by Cambridge University Press: 29 December 2014
Neonatal aortic valvar stenosis can be challenging to treat because of the varied morphology of the valve, the association with hypoplasia of other left heart structures, and the presence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction or endomyocardial fibroelastosis. Balloon valvuloplasty and surgical valvotomy have been well described in the literature for the treatment of neonatal aortic stenosis. Transcatheter therapy for neonatal aortic stenosis is the preferred method at many centres; however, some centres prefer a surgical approach. Balloon valvuloplasty for neonatal aortic stenosis is reviewed in this manuscript, including the history of the procedure, technical aspects, and acute and long-term outcomes.
Presented at All Children's Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine 14th International Symposium on Congenital Heart Disease, Saint Petersburg, Florida, 15–18 February 2014, Special Focus: Diseases of the Cardiac Valves from the Fetus to the Adult, Co-Sponsor: The American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS).