A case of pulmonary stenosis after a repair for tetralogy of Fallot treated with percutaneous pulmonary valvuloplasty using a triple-balloon technique

The patient was a 37-year-old female who had undergone a repair for tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) at the age of 4 years. Postoperative pulmonary stenosis remained, but she continued to be managed medically. Approximately 3 years ago, at the age of 34, she exhibited a worsening of fatigue and dyspnea during exertion (New York Heart Association 111), and was therefore hospitalized for a detailed examination. In cardiac catheterization, a right ventricle to pulmonary artery peak-to-peak gradient of about 90 mmHg was observed. Since it appeared that medical treatment atone would not sufficiently control her heart failure, pulmonary valvuloplasty using a triple-balloon technique was performed for the pulmonary stenosis. The peak-to-peak gradient immediately after the procedure decreased to 13 mmHg. There were no indications of restenosis approximately 6 months after the procedure, and the symptoms of heart failure in her daily life improved thereafter. (C) 2009 Japanese College of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.