INTERVENTIONAL TREATMENT OF PULMONARY ATR ESIA WITH INTACT VENTRICULAR SEPTUM BY RADIOFREQUENCY PERFORATION AND BALLOON DILATATION OF THE PULMONARY VALVE

Surgical treatment of neonates with pulmonary atresia and intact ventr icular septum is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. Durin g the last two years specific radiofrequency-catheters have been devel oped, which allow the interventional perforation and subsequent balloo n dilatation of an atretic pulmonary valve during cardiac catheterizat ion. We report our experience with this new interventional technique i n two neonates. In the first case perforation and balloon dilatation o f the atretic pulmonary valve was performed without a complication. In the second case the radiofrequency catheter perforated the right vent ricular outflow tract. There was no pericardial tamponade and the pati ent underwent a surgical valvotomy the following day. In our experienc e radiofrequency-assisted balloon dilatation of the pulmonary valve is a possible alternative in the treatment of neonates with pulmonary at resia, intact ventricular septum and moderate hypoplasia of the right ventricle. Further experience will have to show, whether this new inte rventional technique can be generally recommended.