Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Program at Children’s Hospital Colorado

Leading the way in less invasive treatment

The Heart Institute at Children's Hospital Colorado is a leader in the use of minimally invasive catheters to treat heart problems in kids. Our Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Program is a breakthrough procedure that can improve life for children with several types of congenital heart defects (those present at birth). Children's Colorado is one of only a small number of programs in the country to offer this procedure.

How does the Melody® Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve work?

The Melody® Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve (also known as a “Melody valve”) is a replacement pulmonary heart valve. It’s used to replace a blocked or leaky valve that has been previously repaired to correct congenital heart defects present at birth.

The most common congenital heart defects affecting the pulmonary valve include:

• Tetralogy of fallot
• Pulmonary atresia
• Transposition of the great arteries
• Double outlet right ventricle

Valve replacement without open-heart surgery

Transcatheter pulmonary valve therapy is an alternative to surgery for kids and adults who have a failing, surgically placed pulmonary valve. The Melody valve fixes the valve function without open-heart surgery. It can also lengthen the amount of time until a patient needs additional open-heart surgery, with the goal of prolonging it as long as possible.

The transcatheter pulmonary valve may not replace open-heart surgery as a treatment, but it can help delay the need for surgery and improve quality of life.

Watch a video about what to expect during your child’s Melody valve catheterization.