Development of a Transcatheter Pediatric Mitral Valve

PI’s: James Rains, Ajit Yoganathan, & Christopher Petit

Funded by: Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

Congenital heart disease affects between 1-2% of all newborn infants, making heart disease the most common birth defect. Congenital and acquired valve disease in infants and young children remains challenging despite improvements in surgical techniques. The primary limitation of pediatric valve replacement is the lack of appropriate-sized valves for the pediatric population, which have appropriate durability and biocompatibility.

Valve replacement in children is often necessary, but it the surgery may be risky and the new valve suboptimal. The primary limitation of pediatric valve replacement is the lack of appropriate-sized valves . Commonly used surgical valves are designed for adults. Adult-sized tissue valves are more available; yet, these valves have significant limitations in their durability. Once implanted, these valves tend to become stenotic (tight) and regurgitant (leaky) over the first few years. Indeed, replacement of the new valve is common, and is usual within 2-5 years of implantation. Each replacement involves an open-heart surgical procedure which carries significant risk of morbidity and mortality.


Transcatheter implantation of a heart valve has been performed in children and adults for over a decade. Catheter implantation is associated with decreased risk of complications, and shorter recovery times. The transcatheter route removes the need for invasive open-heart surgery, as the valve is implanted through a catheter from the patient’s femoral vein. As of yet, there is no mitral valve appropriate for use in children. The goal of our project is to develop a pediatric mitral valve that can be delivered without surgery.

Christopher J. Petit, MD, James Rains, MSME, PE, Ajit Yoganathan, PhD