First Harmony Pulmonary Valve Implant in Buenos Aires for Congenital Heart Disease

Hospital Universitario Austral in Buenos Aires performed the city’s first implant of the Harmony pulmonary valve using percutaneous catheterization. According to the hospital, this minimally invasive procedure allows 85% of patients—typically adolescents or young adults over 14—to be discharged walking the next day, avoiding the need for open-heart surgery in cases of complex congenital heart disease.

How does the Harmony pulmonary valve work?

The Harmony valve is a self-expanding device developed by Medtronic and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It features an hourglass shape designed to provide a firm and stable anchor in challenging anatomies, according to the Hospital Universitario Austral.

Interventional cardiologist Marcelo Rivarola, head of the Hemodynamics Service, stated the device is specifically intended for patients with a right ventricular outflow tract that is exceptionally wide or has dilated due to previous interventions. Rivarola noted that having various platforms allows doctors to select the prosthesis best suited for a patient’s specific anatomy.

Did You Know? The Harmony valve’s hourglass design allows it to be used in complex anatomical structures that are often too challenging for other types of valves.

Why is this procedure preferred over open-heart surgery?

The percutaneous approach eliminates the need to reopen the thorax, which was previously the primary option for these patients. Hospital Universitario Austral reports that this reduces the impact on the body and significantly shortens hospital stays.

The prosthesis is made from porcine biological tissue. Rivarola explained that this biological composition avoids the need for lifelong chronic anticoagulation, a requirement common with mechanical valves. This is particularly beneficial for young patients seeking to maintain their quality of life without long-term medication constraints.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the shift toward biological, self-expanding valves represents a move toward personalized medicine. By reducing the surgical trauma and eliminating chronic drug dependencies, clinicians can better manage the long-term trajectory of young adults who have survived childhood cardiac surgeries.

What happens if the valve wears out over time?

Because the target patient group consists of young people, the treatment must be projected over several decades. The design of the Harmony system allows for future replacements without returning to open-heart surgery.

Harmony valve keeps hearts humming

If the prosthesis wears down over time, a new valve could potentially be placed inside the previous one using the same minimally invasive percutaneous route, according to the hospital.

What is the next step for this medical program?

The hospital’s work will be presented internationally on August 31. Hospital Universitario Austral will transmit a live implant of the Harmony pulmonary valve during the Pediatric & Adult Interventional Cardiac Symposium (PICS) in San Diego, California.

Rivarola will lead the intervention. He currently manages the implant program in Buenos Aires and helps train specialists across various Latin American countries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the primary candidate for the Harmony valve?

The valve is typically used for adolescents or young adults over 14 years old with complex congenital heart disease, particularly those with wide or dilated right ventricular outflow tracts.

What is the typical recovery time after the procedure?

According to Marcelo Rivarola, 85% of patients are discharged and able to walk home the day after the intervention.

What is the advantage of using porcine tissue over mechanical materials?

Biological tissue from pigs eliminates the necessity for lifelong anticoagulation therapy, reducing risks and limitations for the patient.

How do you think minimally invasive options change the outlook for young adults living with congenital heart conditions?