European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Aug 2001
Is there still a place for open surgical valvotomy in the management of aortic stenosis in children? The view from Southampton.
The most appropriate management of aortic stenosis (AS) in children remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine the outcome following open valvotomy for AS in children. ⋯ Open valvotomy remains the gold standard in the management of AS in neonates, infants and older children. It is associated with low operative mortality and provides lengthy freedom from recurrent AS and regurgitation. Re-operations are common but if AVR is required, implantation of an adult-sized prosthesis is usually possible. There is a late death-hazard for those with severe associated lesions, but the survival prospects for the patients with isolated AS are excellent.