Here, we report our experience with pulmonary valve (PV) repair using neoleaflet implantation in children and adolescents. Between April 2005 and May 2009, 20 patients underwent late PV repair with neoleaflet implantation for pulmonary regurgitation (PR) after reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract at <18 years of age. In patients with sufficient remaining native PV leaflets, the neoleaflet was implanted with a polytetrafluoroethylene membrane or fresh autologous pericardium to coapt with the remaining native PV leaflets. The median age at operation was 13 years (2-18 years). The median follow-up duration was 12 months (2-51 months). There was no early or late death. During follow-up, no significant PR was observed, but significant pulmonary stenosis (PS) developed in two patients who had a combined PS. The indexed right ventricular end diastolic dimension decreased during follow-up. At the latest follow-up, all patients were in New York Heart Association functional class I or II. PV repair with neoleaflet implantation can be performed safely and the outcome is satisfactory in the short-term, but attention must be paid in cases with combined PS. Longer follow-up should be carried out to investigate the changes in leaflet mobility and function, and pulmonary annular growth.

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A 66-year-old male patient who suffered from chest pain and dyspnea was admitted to our hospital. He was diagnosed as having an acute myocardial infarction, and recovered from cardiogenic shock after cardiopulmonary-cerebral resuscitation. Under the support of extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (ECMO) he underwent successful percutaneous coronary intervention. After this, an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) was inserted to increase coronary perfusion and reduce the impedance to left ventricular ejection. After 6 days, the patient was weaned from ECMO support; however, IABP therapy and infusion of inotropic agents were required to maintain adequate hemodynamic status. One week later, cardiac transplantation was performed successfully without major complications.