Congenital Heart Valve Program

Pulmonary valve disease in the newborn often presents as pulmonary stenosis, which can be treated by our cardiologists in the catheterization lab. We are currently, participating in research and clinical trials to minimize the number of operations children need over their lifetime with disease involving the pulmonary valve such as tetralogy of fallot (TOF). Many of these patients also benefit from imaging modalities and protocols developed at Children's that provide useful information as to optimal timing for intervention on the pulmonary valve.

		Melody Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve.  Currently, we are perform catheterization-based techniques to deliver the Medtronic Melody valve into the pulmonary position in infants and adults.
		Bioprosthetic Pulmonary Valve Replacement. The most common surgery performed in adults with congenital heart disease is pulmonary valve replacement (PVR).  Although new and novel modalities are currently being explored for less invasive PVR, currently the standard method is surgical placement of a bioprosthetic valve. This image shows an Edwards Perimount Magna Pericardial tissue valve implanted in the pulmonary outflow tract
		Surgical Balloon Dilation of Pulmonary Valve Annulus in Neonatal TOF repair.Tetrology of Fallot occurs in many neonates born with congenital heart disease. We are continually trying to optimize our treatment of this disease. By dilating the pulmonary valve annulus, we hope to spare the pulmonary valve alleviating the need for future valve replacements. These images show intra-operative balloon dilation of the pulmonary valve and annulus in an infant with TOF and severe pulmonic stenosis..