Work

Successful Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Replacement Via the Azygous Vein in a Patient With Interrupted Inferior Vena Cava

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In 2021, the Food and Drug Administration approved the Harmony Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve System (Medtronic) for the treatment of pulmonary valve regurgitation in pediatric and adult populations with a native or surgically repaired right ventricular outflow tract, thus extending transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement to accommodate larger native right ventricular outflow tract anatomies. CASE SUMMARY: We present the case of a 15-year-old female with a history of heterotaxy, transannular patch repair of double outlet right ventricle, bilateral superior vena cava, interrupted inferior vena cava (IVC), who presented with progressive right ventricular dilation and reduced endurance by cardiopulmonary exercise testing. DISCUSSION: The most common way of delivering the Harmony valve is through the femoral venous approach. When the patient's anatomy precludes femoral venous access, such as vascular occlusions or an interrupted IVC, an alternative option is essential. TAKE-HOME MESSAGE: Deployment of the Harmony valve without a DrySeal sheath through the femoral vein to the azygous vein pathway is feasible in patients with interrupted IVC and lack of internal jugular access.

Source: JACC Case Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.jaccas.2025.105341

Authors: Kathryn L. Forbes, Lourdes Prieto, Daniel Duarte-Caceres

Institution: Miami Children's Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Congenital Heart Disease Studies

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $850