Two decades of pediatric aortic stenosis: Balloon versus surgical interventions: A single center study.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital valvular aortic stenosis (AS) represents 3%-6% of congenital heart diseases. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of balloon valvuloplasty (BV) and surgical valvotomy (SV) in patients with AS. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted on 69 patients. A retrospective analysis was done on 69 patients (who underwent BV or SV) at a tertiary heart center in Mashhad, Iran (between 2000 and 2023). RESULTS: The mean age of BV patients (n = 24, 17 males) was 67.08 ± 55.92 months, while it was 97.44 ± 64.18 months in SV patients (n = 45, 33 males). Both treatments reduced the pressure gradients without significant differences (P > 0.05). Aortic valve replacement (AVR) was performed in 20% of SV and 4.1% of BV patients. Over 60% remained intervention-free for at least 5 years. Moderate-to-severe aortic insufficiency developed in 19% of SV and 7% of BV patients. A second-time SV was required in 6.7% and 4.2% of SV and BV cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: BV and SV showed comparable outcomes, with BV demonstrating shorter hospitalization, fewer complications, and lower AVR rates, though reintervention remained necessary for both.