Bicuspid pulmonary valve implantation using polytetrafluoroethylene membrane: early results and assessment of the valve function by magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVES

The durability of bioprosthetic valves in the pulmonary position is suboptimal. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the early results of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) bicuspid pulmonary valve (PV) implantation and to better define the function of this valve by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

METHODS

Fifty-six patients who underwent PTFE bicuspid PV implantation between June 2009 and August 2011 were retrospectively analysed. The median age was 17.5 years and median valve size was 26 mm. Fundamental diagnoses were tetralogy of Fallot (n = 38), pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (n = 8), double outlet right ventricle (n = 7) and absent PV syndrome (n = 3). Thirty-two patients with pulmonary regurgitation (PR) underwent MRI preoperatively and 22 of them underwent follow-up MRI at a median of 6.7 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

There was one early death. Postoperative echocardiography (n = 53) showed no or trivial PR in 49 patients and mild PR in 4. Median follow-up duration was 15.2 months. There was no late death or reoperation. Follow-up echocardiography (n = 41) performed at a median of 7.5 months postoperatively showed no or trivial PR in 33 patients and mild PR in 8 patients. Follow-up MRI showed a significant reduction in right ventricular volumes and improvement in biventricular function. The median PR fraction of this valve was 10%.

CONCLUSIONS

Early results of bicuspid PV implantation using PTFE membrane were satisfactory. PTFE bicuspid PV demonstrated excellent performance for the short term as evidenced by echocardiography and MRI. Long-term follow-up is mandatory to determine the durability of this valve.