"The hope is that we will be able to dilate these valves as the patients grow into adolescence. If we can dilate them up to 22 mm, hopefully we will decrease the number of repeat replacements, delay the time to reoperation, and perhaps modify our thresholds for tolerating significant disease after unsuccessful repairs," he said. The investigators continue to accumulate experience with this device and hope to design a multicenter trial evaluating its safety and efficacy for this indication.
Dr. Emani had no relevant financial disclosures.