Abstract

Background: The worldwide incidence of congenital heart disease (CHD) is 8 - 12 / 1000 live births. This results in a huge burden on societal resources. Recent advances in percutaneous interventions have resulted in fewer CHDs requiring surgery.

Aim: To analyze the percutaneous interventions in CHD performed in Bahrain. Methods: This is a retrospective, descriptive study. All consecutive patients, who underwent percutaneous interventions for CHD, were analyzed from May 1, 2011 to December 31, 2017.

Results: A total of 285 patients, aged day one to 62 years old (mean age = 10.7 years), and weight range of 2 – 113 kgs (mean weight = 27.5 kg), underwent cardiac interventions. The procedures performed were: device closure of patent ducts arteriosus (PDA, 63), atrial septal defect (ASD, 63), ventricular septal defect (3), patent foramen ovale (2), balloon dilatation of pulmonary stenosis (41), diagnostic cardiac catheterization (73), balloon dilatation of re-coarctation of aorta (11), balloon dilatation of aortic stenosis (13), coarctation stenting (4), percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation (5), balloon atrial septostomy (2), and pulmonary valve perforation (1). Success rate of device closure of PDA and attempted-ASD was 95 % and 85 %, respectively. Balloon dilatation of aortic and pulmonary valvular stenosis, and recoarctation of the aorta, resulted in > 50 % reduction in the peak gradient and increase in narrowed segment. There was one mortality in a neonate, due to the perforation of right ventricular outflow tract (0.3 %).

Conclusions: Percutaneous interventions were performed safely in infants and adults with CHD. Recent advances in catheter-based interventions and techniques will provide alternative options in managing CHD.

Keywords: Balloon valvuloplasty; Congenital heart disease; Device closure of septal defects; Percutaneous cardiac interventions; Pulmonary valve implantation