Abstract: Background: Transcatheter therapeutics have revolutionized treatment of pulmonary valve stenosis (PS) in children and animals. Further understanding of PS in humans and animals may help improve outcomes for both populations.
Hypothesis/Objectives: To describe characteristics and outcomes of PS in patients that underwent balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (BPV) in pediatric and veterinary populations.
Animals: 78 human patients from two pediatric cardiology centers, and 165 dogs from three veterinary cardiology centers.
Methods: Multicenter, retrospective review analyzing PS patients between July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2021. Demographics, procedural characteristics, and outcomes were assessed. Data are presented as mean +/- standard deviation.
Results: The stenosis was valvar in the majority of patients, 64/78 (82%) human and 141/165 (86%) dogs, with no difference between groups (p=0.50). Initial echocardiographic peak transpulmonary pressure gradients were significantly higher in dogs (canine 122mmHg +/- 39; human 70mmHg +/- 22) (p< 0.0001). Dogs were more likely to be receiving a beta blocker at intervention, 151/165 (92%), compared to humans 2/78 (3%) (p< 0.0001). Proportion of humans with congestive heart failure at diagnosis was 0/78, compared to 14/164 (9%) dogs (p=0.006). The balloon:annulus ratio was significantly different (canine 1.28 +/- 0.24; human 1.19 +/- 0.3) (p< 0.0001). BPV was successful, based on a 50% or more reduction in transpulmonary pressure gradient, in 139/165 (84%) dogs and 75/78 (96%) humans (p=0.008).
Conclusions: Humans and dogs with PS have similar morphology and response to BPV. Pre-procedural transpulmonary pressure gradients are higher in dogs compared to humans. Beta blockers are more commonly prescribed to dogs than humans.
