Predictors and outcomes of right ventricular outflow tract conduit rupture during percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation: a multicentre study

Aims: Conduit rupture is a serious complication encountered during percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation (PPVI). We sought to evaluate the incidence and predictors of conduit rupture during right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) transcatheter treatment. Methods and results: All consecutive patients who underwent transcatheter RVOT treatment from May 2008 to December 2011 were prospectively studied. Baseline demographics along with incidence, predictors and outcomes of conduit rupture with various transcatheter therapies were reviewed. Conduit rupture occurred in nine out of 99 patients (9.09%). All conduit ruptures occurred during balloon dilatation. Significant risk factors included heavy calcification (p<0.05, OR=16 [1.87-357]), and conduit type (homograft/others; p<0.05, OR=4.37 [1.1-17.8]). Other factors such as prolonged time interval between prior surgical RVOT repair and interventions, use of high-pressure balloons, balloon diameter, and overexpansion of conduit statistically failed to show any association. All patients were managed in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory. There were no delayed complications during a mean follow-up period of 2.3 +/- 0.95 years. Conclusions: Conduit rupture is a serious complication. Heavy calcification and homograft conduit were significant predictors. Immediate diagnosis with the use of targeted interventional therapies should be attempted before proceeding with PPVI.