Many individuals with 22q11.2DS are born with a heart condition called tetralogy of Fallot. This is a lifelong condition, and there is usually a need for heart valve repairs or replacements, e.g., a pulmonary valve replacement. These often involve open heart surgery.
In 2006, UHN was the first hospital in Canada to offer adults a new, minimally invasive option called “percutaneous” pulmonary valve replacement. The length of the hospital stay is much shorter but this option was only suitable for about one in every 5 patients. Cardiologists at the Toronto Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) Program have now added another type of minimally invasive option that may be suitable for more patients. Check out this UHN News article for more information.
If you need a heart valve repair or replacement, your cardiologist, including those affiliated with our Clinic, will let you know if a percutaneous pulmonary valve replacement or another option is the one best suited to you.