PERCUTANEOUS pulmonary valve implantation using the VenusP-valve demonstrated excellent durability and sustained clinical benefits beyond five years, according to new medium- to long-term outcome data from two international centres.
Percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation (PPVI) has become an important alternative to repeat open-heart surgery for patients with dysfunctional right ventricular outflow tracts. However, evidence supporting the long-term durability of newer self-expanding valves for large outflow tracts has remained limited, making these findings particularly relevant for contemporary practice.
VenusP-Valve Implant Performance Beyond Five Years
The retrospective review evaluated 58 patients with severe pulmonary regurgitation who underwent attempted PPVI with the VenusP-valve between October 2013 and September 2018 at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, London, UK, and Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, Bangkok, Thailand. The VenusP-valve is a self-expanding transcatheter pulmonary valve available in diameters ranging from 24–36 mm, specifically designed for large right ventricular outflow tracts that are often unsuitable for earlier-generation devices.
Successful implantation was achieved in 56 patients (96.6%). Two procedures required surgical intervention, one following an unsuccessful implantation attempt and one due to valve migration. There were no early or late deaths during follow-up extending up to 7–10 years.
Sustained Valve Function and Cardiac Remodelling
Across medium- and long-term follow-up, no patients developed valve stenosis or severe pulmonary regurgitation. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated a significant and sustained reduction in pulmonary regurgitation, while cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed marked decreases in indexed right ventricular end-diastolic volumes and pulmonary regurgitant fraction at 6–12 months. These improvements remained stable on serial imaging, indicating durable reverse right ventricular remodelling.
Fluoroscopic assessment identified wire frame fractures in 13 patients (23.2%), most commonly affecting the proximal flare of the valve. Importantly, these structural changes did not compromise valve function or haemodynamic performance.
Safety Profile and Longer-Term Considerations
The safety profile of the VenusP-valve was favourable. No cases of infective endocarditis or clinically significant ventricular arrhythmias were reported. Atrial arrhythmias occurred in two patients (3.5%); one was managed medically, while the other underwent successful catheter ablation.
Together, these data support the VenusP-valve as a reliable long-term option for PPVI in patients with large right ventricular outflow tracts. While outcomes over 5–10 years were highly reassuring, the authors emphasised the need for continued surveillance to fully assess valve longevity beyond the first decade following implantation.
Reference
Rashed R et al. VenusP-valve: outcomes beyond 5 years. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2026; DOI:10.1002/ccd.70457.
