Interventional procedures in congenital heart disease.

Balloon septostomy changed the natural history of transposition of the great arteries. Relatively little more occurred in catheter treatment of congenital heart disease until the development of the balloon catheter for transluminal angioplasty. Modification of these catheters led to successful treatment of valvular pulmonic stenosis, peripheral pulmonic stenosis, and coarctation restenosis. Possible future applications of balloon valvuloplasty include valvar aortic stenosis, stenotic shunts, and palliative operations. Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations are well managed by detachable balloon techniques, and balloons and coils are used for occluding large systemic collaterals. Interventional techniques have made a significant impact on the treatment of congenital heart disease, and it is anticipated that as technology improves further advances will occur.