RADIOFREQUENCY PULMONARY VALVOTOMY USING A NEW 2-FRENCH CATHETER

We report the usefulness of a new 2-French (F) electrode catheter for perforating the atretic pulmonary valve in patients with pulmonary atr esia and intact ventricular septum, using radiofrequency energy. The n ew 2-F electrode catheter was used in three patients, The first patien t, weighing 2.1 kg, with pulmonary atresia and an intact ventricular s eptum, underwent transcatheter valvotomy at the age of 18 days. Due to massive left ventricular volume overload, the patient required surgic al ligation of the ductus arteriosus, but she was discharged uneventfu lly after that. The second patient, weighing 2.2 kg, had Ebstein's ano maly with pulmonary atresia and an intact ventricular septum. She unde rwent transcatheter valvotomy at the age of 30 days, Although she was weaned from prostaglandin E-1 infusion, she died suddenly (presumed se pticemic), A postmortem examination showed a split pulmonary valve. Th e third patient, weighing 2.3 kg, with pulmonary atresia and an intact ventricular septum, underwent transcatheter valvotomy at the age of 1 7 days, Prostaglandin E-1 infusion was discontinued on the 3rd day aft er the transcatheter valvotomy and she was discharged uneventfully. (C ) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.