Balloon dilation of the pulmonary valve in premature infants with tetralogy of Fallot

Pediatr Cardiol. 2008 Sep;29(5):946-9. doi: 10.1007/s00246-008-9247-7. Epub 2008 Jul 29.

Abstract

Infants with tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) presenting with desaturation may require augmentation of the pulmonary blood flow, usually in the form of a Blalock-Taussig shunt. Shunts may result in a preferential increase in blood flow to one lung. They also may be associated with significant morbidity and possibly mortality of premature infants. Balloon dilation of the pulmonary valve is reported to improve saturation in early infancy. This report describes two premature infants (weighing, respectively, 1.8 and 1.6 kg) with ToF and desaturation for whom balloon dilation of the pulmonary valve showed good results. Neither infant required palliative surgery. At this writing, one infant has already undergone complete repair.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Catheterization*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / therapy*
  • Palliative Care
  • Pulmonary Valve*
  • Tetralogy of Fallot / diagnostic imaging
  • Tetralogy of Fallot / therapy*
  • Ultrasonography