Percutaneous pulmonary valve replacement: an experimental study in dogs

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of percutaneous transcatheter implantation of a new-type stainless steel valved stent to replace the original pulmonary valve in dogs. Methods: A new cylindrical valved stent was designed by the authors, which was made of 316L stainless steel. Porcine pericardium was manually sutured to the stainless steel stent. The valved stent was compressed on a balloon catheter and was pulled into a 14-French sheath. Percutaneous transcatheter implantation of the valved stent via the femoral vein access was performed in eight healthy dogs to replace their own pulmonary valves. Immediately after the treatment DSA and echocardiography were performed to check the results and to observe the cardiac hemodynamic changes. Results: percutaneous transcatheter implantation of the valved stent via the femoral vein access was successfully accomplished in seven dogs, and one dog died because of anesthesia accident. DSA and echocardiography performed immediately after the implantation procedure showed that the valved stent was in perfect position with excellent functioning in all seven dogs. Conclusion: Percutaneous transcatheter implantation of the self-prepared new-type stainless steel valved stent to replace the original pulmonary valve of the experimental dogs is feasible, safe and effective. (authors)