Abstract

Objective: To study the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of total percutaneous correction of a tetralogy of Fallot variant with dominant pulmonary valve stenosis.

Design: Percutaneous correction of a variant of tetralogy of Fallot with dominant pulmonary valve stenosis, on the basis that there are transcatheter methods for the correction of malalignment-type ventricular septal defect (VSD) (transcatheter patch) and valvar pulmonary stenosis (balloon valvoplasty).

Patients: Two patients with tetralogy of Fallot, 4 and 7 years old, were admitted for percutaneous correction. Their aortic saturations were 72% and 88%. Both had severe right ventricular outflow obstruction with dominant valvar pulmonary stenosis with total gradients of 120 and 70 mm Hg. Large malalignment subaortic VSDs, 14 and 16 mm in diameter, were present. The first patient had a previous percutaneous correction of a small atrial septal defect and an aortopulmonary collateral.

Interventions: Balloon valvoplasty was first performed, followed by balloon test occlusion of the VSD and double balloon patch occlusion. Forty eight hours after implantation the supporting balloons were extracted, releasing the patches.

Results: Both patients became acyanotic with oxygen saturations of 96%. There was mild residual infundibular stenosis with 40 and 30 mm Hg gradients. Both VSDs were effectively occluded with only trivial residual shunts. One patient developed mild haemolysis, which resolved spontaneously in a few days. Both patients were doing well at six and 12 months’ follow up visits.

Conclusions: Total percutaneous correction of the tetralogy of Fallot variants with dominant pulmonary valve stenosis is feasible and successful. Larger clinical trials are required to further assess effectiveness and safety.