Transcatheter pulmonic valve replacement

Abstract

Right ventricular outflow tract dysfunction is the most frequent residual lesion following repair of various congenital heart diseases and can be characterized by predominant pulmonary valve stenosis, regurgitation, or a combination of both lesions. The need to replace the malfunctioning pulmonary valve in order to avoid detrimental effects on right ventricular function is widely recognized. While a surgical approach was the only possible option until less than two decades ago, advances in the medical field have made it possible to replace such valves percutaneously in selected patients, with favourable anatomy, and with comparably good results. In more recent years, further developments of the percutaneous pulmonary valve design and technology have allowed an increasing number of patients to be suitable for this preferred approach due to the less invasive nature and quicker recovery time.