Between February 1988 and September 1993 balloon aortic valvuloplasty
was attempted in 33 consecutive patients in the first year of life. 20
patients (61%) were younger than 1 month. Major associated anomalies
such as mitral stenosis, coarctation, and hypoplastic left ventricle w
ere found in 11 cases (33%). The balloon dilation of the aortic valve
was accomplished through the right carotid cut-down approach in neonat
es and patients with body weight < 5 kg, through a percutaneous femora
l approach in the others; the procedure was completed in all. The peak
systolic gradient across the aortic valve measured at catheterization
fell from 80 +/- 33 mmHg (range 25-165) before the dilation to 27 +/-
17 mmHg (range 0-65), afterwards (P < 0.0001). The left ventricular e
jection fraction increased from 44% +/- 26% to 61% +/- 17%, 24-48 hour
s after the procedure (P < 0.0001). Aortic insufficiency developed in
17 cases, being moderate in 2, mild in 6, and trivial in 9. Seven pati
ents (21%), ail in the first month of life, died within 30 days from t
he valvuloplasty; major associated anomalies were present in six; the
death was due to a procedure related complication in one. No mortality
was observed among the patients undergoing valvuloplasty beyond the f
irst month of life. On follow-up (6 months to 6 years) aortic restenos
is occurred in 3 cases; 1 was treated by surgical valvotomy, 2 by repe
at balloon valvotomy; in another 2 cases, a subvalvular aortic obstruc
tion developed and was relieved by surgical resection. There was no la
te mortality. Thus, balloon valvuloplasty appears to be an effective p
alliation for critical aortic stenosis in infancy. Early mortality is
mainly related to associated anomalies.