Key result
Aortic valvuloplasty with pericardial patch linked to ~51% reduction in peak aortic valve gradient.
Why the study?
Surgical strategies for congenital aortic stenosis and regurgitation in children remain controversial, and the durability and clinical benefits of aortic valvuloplasty with pericardial patch remain uncertain.
Does aortic valvuloplasty with pericardial patch improve aortic valve hemodynamics in pediatric patients with congenital aortic stenosis and regurgitation?
Cohort (n=35)
No
Does aortic valvuloplasty with pericardial patch improve aortic valve hemodynamics in pediatric patients with congenital aortic stenosis and regurgitation?
Absolute Event Rate: 33% vs 67%
p-value: p=<0.001
Aortic valvuloplasty with a pericardial patch significantly improves hemodynamics and provides excellent mid-term survival and acceptable freedom from reoperation in pediatric patients with congenital aortic valve disease.
Supports hemodynamic improvement and mid-term survival with pericardial patch valvuloplasty in children; leaves open durability versus alternatives in randomized trials.
Background Surgical strategies for congenital aortic stenosis and regurgitation in children, particularly in infants (<1 year), remain controversial. Aortic valvuloplasty (AVP) with pericardial patch has gained increasing attention, but its durability and clinical benefits remain uncertain. Methods We retrospectively analyzed pediatric patients (≤12 years) undergoing AVP with pericardial patch in our center between July 2017 and July 2025. Infants (<1 year) were analyzed separately as subgroups. Primary outcome was the change in aortic valve hemodynamics, including median peak gradient, median peak velocity, and degree of aortic regurgitation. Secondary outcomes included major complications, overall survival, and freedom from reoperation. Results A total of 35 patients were included, with a median age of 2 years. Among them, 17 were infants, with a median age of 2 months. The median peak aortic valve gradient decreased from 67.0 mmHg to 33.0 mmHg ( p < 0.001), and the median peak velocity decreased from 4.1 m/s to 2.9 m/s ( p < 0.001), postoperatively. No new moderate or severe aortic regurgitation was observed early postoperatively, and preexisting lesions of this severity were resolved. There were no in-hospital deaths or severe complications. At four years, survival was 96% and freedom from reoperation 75.4% in the overall cohort; in infants, survival was 100% with 66.7% freedom from reoperation. Conclusions AVP with pericardium patch is a safe and effective procedure for congenital aortic stenosis and regurgitation in pediatric patients. It represents a promising surgical option for pediatric patients, including infants.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Huang et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in Congenital aortic stenosis and regurgitation (n=35). Aortic valvuloplasty with pericardial patch vs. Preoperative baseline was evaluated on Change in median peak aortic valve gradient (mmHg) (p=<0.001). Aortic valvuloplasty with a pericardial patch significantly reduced the median peak aortic valve gradient from 67.0 mmHg to 33.0 mmHg and peak velocity from 4.1 m/s to 2.9 m/s.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: