Gradient reduction, aortic valve regurgitation and prolapse after balloon aortic valvuloplasty in 32 consecutive patients with congenital aortic stenosis

From 1986 to 1988, balloon aortic valvuloplasty was performed in 32 patients with congenital valvular aortic stenosis. The patients ranged in age from 2 days to 28 years (mean ± SD 8.3 ± 5.9). One balloon was used in 17 patients and two balloons were used in 15 patients. Immediately after valvuloplasty, peak systolic pressure gradient across the aortic valve decreased significantly from 77 ± 27 to 23 ± 16 mm Hg (p < 0.01), a 70% reduction in gradient. At early follow-up study (4.1 ± 3.3 months after valvuloplasty), there was a 48 ± 20.5% reduction in gradient compared with that before valvuloplasty, and at late follow-up evaluation (19.2 ± 5.6 months), a reduction in gradient of 40 ± 29% persisted. Echocardiography showed evidence of significantly increased aortic regurgitation in 19 patients (31%) and aortic valve prolapse in 7 patients (22%). There was no correlation between the balloon/anulus ratio and the subsequent development of aortic regurgitation or prolapse. In fact, no patient who showed a significant increase in aortic regurgitation had had a balloon/anulus ratio >100%. It is concluded that balloon aortic valvuloplasty effectively reduces peak systolic pressure gradient across the aortic valve in patients with congenital aortic stenosis. However, subsequent aortic regurgitation and prolapse occur in a significant number of patients, even if appropriate technique and a balloon size no greater than that of the aortic anulus are used.