Melody Valve Avoids Open-Heart Surgery
The Melody transcatheter pulmonary valve therapy has been authorized for use in pediatric and adult patients with a regurgitant or stenotic Right Ventricular Outflow Tract (RVOT) conduit.
"The Melody valve allows us to replace a heart valve through a catheter instead of open heart surgery," said Stephen Kaine, MD, Director of the Cardiovascular Laboratory at Children's Mercy and Associate Director of The Ward Family Heart Center.
"This is specifically designed to replace a poorly functioning valve on the right side of the heart. Some of the more common types of congenital heart disease are conditions in which the pulmonary valve is abnormal."
BEFORE THE MELODY VALVE...
Until the use of the Melody valve, surgery was always required to put in a replacement pulmonary valve. Unfortunately, the body sees a replacement as foreign and attacks it. For very small babies, the valve will not grow as the heart does. Both of these are reasons why more than one intervention will likely be needed.
"The beauty of the Melody valve is that, instead of always needing additional surgeries to replace the human valves over time, we can use a stent on which a valve has been placed," said Dr. Kaine. "Without doing open heart surgery, we can put the stent in position and inflate it to place a functioning valve where it's needed. Anytime you can avoid surgery safely, the patient comfort and risk profiles are improved significantly."
This benefits patients by delaying the need for invasive surgery for many years. In some cases, it may obviate the need for it altogether.
In addition, the time before discharge is reduced, which helps both the patient and family. Instead of having to be hospitalized for five to seven days, those patients who have treatment with the Melody valve go home the next day. There are also obvious cost savings achieved by earlier discharge.
"Like other replacement valves, the Melody will eventually wear out," said Dr. Kaine. "What's been found is that a second Melody valve can be placed if needed. It is not as though the valve can be used only once and then you have to go back to surgical interventions."
The use of the Melody valve is a collaborative project between Children's Mercy and the University of Kansas Medical Center.
"The number of centers in the United States working with Melody valves is still rather small," said Dr. Kaine. "Collaboration between adult and pediatric services in Kansas City means we should have one of the busier practices in the country. Experience is critical for success in treating heart disease."
The Melody valve allows replacement of a heart valve through a catheter instead of open heart surgery. Patients who have treatment with the Melody valve go home the next day.