BALLOON DILATATION OF THE PULMONARY VALVE IN A PATIENT WITH PULMONARYATRESIA AND INTACT VENTRICULAR SEPTUM USING A COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE RADIOFREQUENCY CATHETER

Using a commercially available 5F deflectable radiofrequency catheter, we have succeeded in percutaneous valvotomy of an imperforate pulmona ry valve and consecutive balloon dilatation in a baby with pulmonary a tresia and intact ventricular septum. After the procedure, right ventr icular systolic pressure fell from 125 mmHg to 65 mmHg, and right vent riculography demonstrated anterograde blood flow into the pulmonary ar teries. There were no major complications. Doppler echocardiography at 1 year after the procedure demonstrated a pressure gradient across th e pulmonary valve of 20 mmHg with mild pulmonary and tricuspid regurgi tations.