Percutaneous laser valvotomy with balloon dilatation of the pulmonary valve as primary treatment for pulmonary atresia.

A neonate with pulmonary atresia and an intact ventricular septum with a tripartite right ventricle was successfully treated by percutaneous balloon dilatation of the pulmonary valve. This was facilitated by previous laser valvotomy with a hot tip Trimedyne laser wire. There were no major complications. Four weeks later the patient was discharged home on no medication with peripheral oxygen saturations of 70% in air.