Triple-balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty: an advantageous technique for percutaneous repair of pulmonary valve stenosis in the large pediatric and adult patients.

This report describes a new valvuloplasty procedure for the treatment of pulmonary valve stenosis (PVS) and large pulmonary valve annulus (PVA) diameters using a triple-balloon valvuloplasty (TBV) technique. We sought to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of this new technique. Percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (BPV) is the preferred treatment for PVS. BPV in older patients with large PVA remains a challenge, even when the double-balloon valvuloplasty technique is performed. The technique was first attempted in a case where a large single balloon was unsuccessful and double-balloon valvuloplasty met with technical difficulties. Three subsequent patients underwent the procedure safely and successfully. An algorithm is presented to determine balloon size for TBV. The median PVA diameter was 23.9 mm. Balloon diameters ranged from 12 to 18 mm. The median peak right ventricular-to-pulmonary artery systolic pressure gradient was 43.5 mm Hg before valvuloplasty and was reduced to 12 mm Hg following intervention. No major complications were encountered. Percutaneous valvuloplasty using TBV can be performed safely and provides excellent clinical results. This technique offers advantages over single-balloon and double-balloon valvuloplasty techniques, especially in treatment of PVS in large pediatric or adult patients. Copyright 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.