Transapical access for dilatation of a Melody valve in the mitral position using large balloons, in a small child: a case description with midterm follow-up and literature review.

The surgical placement of the Melody®valve in the mitral position in infants and young children was first reported in 2012. Since then, there have only been a limited number of technically oriented reports describing catheter techniques to tackle valve-related issues such as valve adjustment for somatic growth or the management of haemodynamically significant paravalvar regurgitation. We present a case study where severe paravalvar leaks were tackled using a hybrid approach and large low-pressure balloons in a child who had previously undergone Melody® valve implantation in the mitral position. The technical outcome remains very good at 18 months follow-up and the patient remains symptom-free.