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Percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation improved quality of life
Significant improvements in a number of quality of life measures occurred in a cohort of patients who underwent percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation for dysfunctional pulmonary valve conduits.
The investigators suggested that despite encouraging results associated with this treatment for dysfunctional pulmonary valve conduits, little is known about how this strategy impacts QOL at short-term follow-up.
The current study included 59 patients who underwent percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation (PVI) at a single center between July 2007 and March 2013. Pulmonary stenosis was reported in 46 patients, and 13 had predominant pulmonary regurgitation.
Patients were required to complete several follow-up tests, including a QOL questionnaire, a cardiopulmonary exercise test and cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging before and 6 months after valve implantation.
Significant improvements were reported in peak oxygen uptake from 27.2 mL/min/kg to 29.2 mL/min/kg (P<.0001), and from 69.6% predicted to 76.3% predicted (P<.0001).
Patients in the pulmonary stenosis group experienced an increase from 71.9% to 78.3% predicted (P<.0001), whereas those in the pulmonary regurgitation group achieved an increase from 62.7% predicted to 73% predicted (P<.0001).
The investigators reported that the good rates of self-reported QOL among all populations before intervention increased at 6 months after the procedure in all domains of both the stenosis and regurgitation groups. This included improvements in physical function, general health perception and health transition. Patients in the stenosis group experienced improvements in physical role functioning, vitality and mental health.
“In patients with dysfunctional pulmonary valve conduits, exercise performance and quality of life improve substantially 6 months after successful percutaneous [PVI],” the researchers concluded.
Disclosure: The researchers report relevant financial disclosures with Edwards Lifesciences and Medtronic.