Severance Hospital reaches 200 percutaneous pulmonary valve replacements

Severance Hospital has reached a milestone of 200 successful percutaneous pulmonary valve replacement (PPVR) procedures. This minimally invasive technique allows doctors to replace faulty valves via a catheter inserted through the femoral vein, avoiding the need for traditional open-chest surgery.

The 200th patient was a 38-year-old male with Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart disease. After undergoing surgery as a child, he developed pulmonary valve regurgitation and arrhythmia due to insufficient follow-up. The PPVR procedure offered a way to address these complications with reduced physical burden and faster recovery compared to repeat open-heart surgeries.

Severance Hospital has been performing these procedures in South Korea since March 2015. The hospital utilizes a multidisciplinary approach involving pediatric cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, radiology, and anesthesiology to ensure safety. Professor Choi Jae-young is currently sharing these surgical techniques and expertise with medical professionals in Europe and other international regions.