Melody Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve (TPV) Therapy

About Melody TPV Therapy

Melody TPV Therapy treats narrowed or leaking pulmonary valve conduits between the heart’s right pumping chamber and the lungs without open-heart surgery. With Melody TPV Therapy, a thin, hollow tube (catheter) with a specially designed heart valve inside is inserted into a vein and pushed up to your heart. The heart valve is from a cow’s vein that has been attached to a wireframe. When it is time for you to get the new valve, it is placed onto a catheter and guided through your vein to your heart where the new valve will replace the old one. Your new valve will then be able to help your heart pump blood correctly.

Melody TPV is a different option to take care of a leaky or narrowed connection between the heart and lungs for children and adults. Melody TPV Therapy does not replace open heart surgery but is meant to delay the need for the next surgery.

Is Melody TPV Therapy Right For You?

Melody TPV Therapy may be an option for treating your narrowed or leaking pulmonary valve conduit.

When Melody TPV Therapy Is Not An Option

There are no known contraindications for the Melody TPV. See Additional Warnings and Precautions section for conditions where safety of the Melody TPV has not been proven.

Your heart doctor can help you decide if Melody TPV Therapy may be right for you.

The Melody TPV Procedure

The following section describes what happens during the Melody TPV procedure. It is intended as a general overview; your experience may be different. Please talk to your doctor for more information about what to expect.

During The Procedure

Typically, patients are asleep under anesthesia for the procedure and usually don’t feel any pain.

1. Your doctor will insert the delivery system into your vein (typically in your leg) through a small access site.
2. A thin, hollow tube (catheter) holding the Melody valve will be placed into the vein and guided into your heart.
3. Once the Melody valve is in the right position, the balloons will be inflated to deliver the valve.
4. The Melody valve will expand into place and begin to direct blood flow between the right lower chamber (ventricle) and your lungs.
5. The catheter will then be removed and the doctor will conduct a test to make sure the valve is working properly.
6. The access site will be closed, and the procedure will be complete.

After the Procedure

After the Melody TPV procedure, you will go to a recovery room. Once you are awake, you will be moved to a regular hospital room where you’ll be able to eat and drink.

You likely will need to stay in the hospital overnight as most people go home the next day. Your doctor will provide you with more specific care instructions as well as any limitations you may have. Usually, you can return to normal activities in 1-2 days. If you have any questions, please ask your heart doctor or nurse.

Follow-up Care

After your Melody TPV procedure, it is important to follow your heart care team’s instructions to ensure the best possible results.

• Continue to take medications as prescribed
• Follow your daily care plan
• Keep appointments to have your heart and Melody TPV checked
• Talk with your doctor if you have pain or other symptoms
• Inform your other doctors about your heart valve before any medical procedure
• If you have an unexplained, prolonged fever, contact your doctor to ensure you do not have an infection related to your heart valve
• Tell your dentist that you have an artificial tissue valve. During dental work, bacteria may be released into the bloodstream and cause infection in any tissue valve. This means that you may need to be on medicine before any dental procedure, even routine cleaning

Talk with your heart care team or nurse if you have more questions about living with your Melody valve.

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