The purpose of this study was to report on 5-to-9-year follow-up data after balloon aortic valvuloplasty in children and to investigate causes of aortic valve insufficiency at follow-up. While the immediate and short-term results of balloon aortic valvuloplasty have been well documented, there is scanty information on long-term follow-up results.
During a 7.3-year period ending December 1992, 26 children, aged 0.13 to 20 years, underwent balloon aortic valvuloplasty with resultant reduction of peak-to-peak aortic valvar gradient from 70 ± 20 (mean ± SD) to 26 ± 12mmHg (p<0.001). None required immediate surgical intervention. At intermediate-term follow-up (10 ± 4 mo), 6 (23%) of 26 developed restenosis, requiring surgical (4) or repeat balloon (2) valvuloplasty. Clinical and echo-Doppler data 2 to 9 (median, 6) years following balloon valvuloplasty revealed residual peak instantaneous Doppler gradients of 27 ± 15mmHg (p<0.001), without restenosis beyond what was observed at midterm follow-up. However, significant aortic insufficiency developed in 7 (27%) patients although, none required intervention as yet. Actuarial intervention-free rates at 1,2,5, and 9 years, respectively were 80%, 76%, 76%, and 76%. In order to identify factors associated with development of aortic insufficiency, seventeen variables were examined by logistic regression analysis; Doppler-quantitated degree of aortic insufficiency one day following valvuloplasty is a predictor of significant aortic insufficiency at late follow-up. None of demographic, anatomic, physiologic and technical variables seem to be associated with aortic insufficiency.
Based on these data it is concluded that the follow-up results of balloon aortic valvuloplasty are generally encouraging although increasing aortic insufficiency with time, though not requiring intervention as yet, is of concern.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rao, P., Galal, O. & Wilson, A. LONG-TERM RESULTS OF BALLOON AORTIC VALVULOPLASTY WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO CAUSES OF AORTIC INSUFFICIENCY. 196. Pediatr Res 39 (Suppl 4), 35 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199604001-00215
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199604001-00215