Long-Term Results of Pulmonary Balloon Valvuloplasty in Adult Patients
Mohamed E. Fawzy FRCP, Mahmoud Awad MD, Omar Galal MD, Mohamed Shoukri PhD, Hesham Hegazy MD, Bruce Dunn MD, L. Mimish MD, Zohair Al Halees FRCSC

In order to study the long-term outcome of pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty (PBV) in adults, 87 patients (mean age 23 ± 9 years) with pulmonary stenosis (PS) underwent PBV, and 53 patients were followed up with repeat catheterization at a mean of 14.6 ± 5 months. Clinical and Doppler echocardiography examinations were carried out annually in 82 patients for between 2 and 15 years. The catheter peak pulmonary gradient (PG) before and immediately after PBV, and at intermediate follow up, were 105 ± 39, 34 ± 26 (p <0.0001) and 17 ± 14 (p <0.0001) mmHg, respectively, and corresponding values for right ventricular (RV) pressure were 125 ± 38, 59 ± 21 (p <0.0001) and 42 ± 12 (p <0.0001) mmHg. Doppler PG before and intermediately after PBV, and at long-term follow up was 91 ± 33, 28 ± 12 (p <0.0001) and 26 ± 11 (p = 0.2) mmHg, respectively. New pulmonary regurgitation was noted in 25% of patients. It is concluded that the long-term results of PBV are excellent, and the technique should be considered as primary treatment for adult patients with PS.