[The treatment of XXXX using balloon dilatation. Long-term results].

@entity1 @entity3888 @entity338 @entity849 @entity358 @entity6349
@entity358 has been used successfully in the treatment of @entity849 for several years, but reports on long-term results are still sparse. We have performed pulmonary valve balloon dilatation procedures 23 times in 22 @entity1 since February 1985; the age of the @entity1 ranged from 2 days to 22 years. Three @entity1 did not benefit from the procedure, in two instances because the pulmonary valve was @entity6349 and once because of severe associated @entity3888 . These @entity1 subsequently underwent surgery. In the other 19 @entity1 the initial transvalvular gradient of 35 to 160 mm Hg (mean 81 mm Hg) was markedly reduced (to values ranging from 10 to 60 mm Hg, mean 31 mm Hg) rendering surgery unnecessary. There were no complications. The @entity1 have been followed up for periods ranging from 2 months to 3 years and all are asymptomatic. Repeat measurements of the transvalvular gradient were carried out either by recatheterization or by echo Doppler 4 months to 3 years after the procedure; we have not observed restenosis and the mean gradient remained unchanged compared to the measurements immediately after valvuloplasty. @entity338 was uncommon and indeed appears to be less prominent than after surgical valvotomy. Thus, percutaneous valvuloplasty now appears to be the preferred treatment for @entity849 and open heart surgery can be avoided in most cases.
