Concomitant pulmonary valve replacement, VSD closure and coronary artery bypass surgery

Abstract

Background and aims of the study: Although pulmonary valve stenosis may be treated by percutaneous balloon valvulotomy, surgery is preferred in adult patients with dysplastic valves.

Methods: Recently a 50-year-old man with isolated, calcific pulmonary stenosis and concomitant coronary artery disease was referred for surgery. Preoperatively, he suffered from dyspnea (NYHA class I-II) and angina pectoris (CCS class I-II). During catheterization a peak-to-peak gradient of 120 mmHg was measured across the pulmonary valve, while angiography revealed two-vessel coronary artery disease.

Results: During surgery, after opening the main pulmonary artery, an unsuspected small ventricular septal defect (VSD) and a severely calcified, altered pulmonary valve were detected. The VSD was closed and the valve replaced with a stentless bioprosthesis; concomitant double coronary artery bypass grafting was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful.

Conclusions: Adult patients with pulmonary valve stenosis and concomitant coronary artery disease can be treated simultaneously by surgery with excellent results. Replacement devices may be homografts, or as in this patient, a stentless xenograft.