BALLOON AORTIC VALVULOPLASTY IN TERM NEONATES WITH MINIMAL TO NIL COMPLICATIONS POST PROCEDURE- A REPORT CASE
1
Postgraduate, Department of Paediatrics, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and KLES Dr. Prabhakar kore hospital & Medical Research Centre, Belagavi
2
Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and KLES Dr. Prabhakar kore hospital & Medical Research Centre, Belagavi.
Received: 2025-10-03
Revised: 2025-10-18
Accepted: 2025-11-15
Published: 2025-11-19
Background: Balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) is a well-established and minimally invasive interventional procedure for relieving congenital aortic stenosis (AS) in neonates. Despite its efficacy in reducing left ventricular outflow obstruction, the risk of post-procedural aortic regurgitation (AR) remains a concern, with literature citing incidence rates between 7% and 27%. Early antenatal detection of severe AS allows appropriate perinatal planning and timely postnatal intervention, which can significantly improve outcomes and reduce complications. Case Report: We present the case of a term male neonate (3.28 kg) born at 38 weeks and 5 days of gestation via elective cesarean section. Fetal echocardiography had revealed severe congenital aortic stenosis with a bicuspid aortic valve. Postnatally, the infant was hemodynamically stable with a grade 3 ejection systolic murmur. Echocardiography confirmed severe valvular AS (AV peak gradient 95 mmHg; mean gradient 50 mmHg) with preserved left ventricular function. On day 17 of life, BAV was performed under general anesthesia using sequential 5 mm and 8 mm Tyshak balloons. Left ventricular pressure decreased from 144 mmHg to 74 mmHg, and post-procedure echocardiography showed a marked reduction in gradient (peak 18 mmHg, mean 9 mmHg) without any aortic regurgitation. A transient femoral artery thrombosis was identified post-procedure and successfully managed with low-dose heparin infusion. The infant was discharged in stable condition the following day.
Congenital aortic stenosis, balloon aortic valvuloplasty, neonate, bicuspid aortic valve, aortic regurgitation, cardiac catheterization, femoral thrombosis, antenatal diagnosis, neonatal intervention.