Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Implantation: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta‐Analyses of Observational Studies

Abstract

Background Transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation is approved for the treatment of dysfunctional right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduits. However, the literature is limited because of a small patient population, and it does not reflect changing procedural practice patterns over the last decade. Methods and Results A comprehensive search of Medline and Scopus databases from inception through August 31, 2016 was conducted using predefined criteria. We included studies reporting transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation in at least 5 patients with a follow‐up duration of 6 months or more. In 19 eligible studies, 1044 patients underwent transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation with a pooled follow‐up of 2271 person‐years. Procedural success rate was 96.2% (95% confidence intervals [CI], 94.6–97.4) with a conduit rupture rate of 4.1% (95% CI , 2.5–6.8) and coronary complication rate of 1.3% (95% CI , 0.7–2.3). Incidence of reintervention was 4.4 per 100 person‐years overall (95% CI , 3.0–5.9) with a marked reduction in studies reporting ≥75% prestenting (2.9 per 100 person‐years [95% CI , 1.5–4.3] versus 6.5/100 person‐years [95% CI , 4.6–8.5]; P <0.01). Pooled endocarditis rate was 1.4 per 100 person‐years (95% CI , 0.9–2.0). Conclusions Our study provides favorable updated estimates of procedural and follow‐up outcomes after transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation. Widespread adoption of prestenting has improved longer‐term outcomes in these patients.