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Pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) in children has long posed a significant challenge in pediatric cardiology. However, Children's Hospital Colorado is making strides in treating PVS through the innovative use of optical coherence tomography (OCT), a noninvasive imaging technique commonly used in adult ophthalmology and cardiology. Through high-definition, color-rich views of pulmonary veins, OCT has been instrumental in improving the treatment of children with PVS. The new technology’s high cost has slowed widespread adoption, but Children's Colorado, supported by an Abbott research grant, has worked to make this technology accessible to patients.
After leading a feasibility study to assess the safety of OCT in the pediatric population, interventional cardiologist Jenny Zablah Alabi, MD, has helped take this technology beyond procedural efficiency and quality and is moving the needle on patient outcomes. Thanks to advancements in diagnostic accuracy, timely interventions and overall efficiency, the Cardiac Catheterization Program at Children's Colorado has significantly improved survival rates for children with PVS. Before the official launch of the PVS Program, the one-year average survival rate was 80%. Since its initiation in 2017, this rate has increased to 93%. Furthermore, the five-year survival rate has also seen a notable improvement, rising by 7%.
"The efficiency of OCT is attributed to the precision of OCT imaging, which enables more effective interventions and reduces procedure duration. Procedures that once took five to seven hours now average about two and a half to three hours."
- JENNY ZABLAH ALABI, MD
Dr. Zablah Alabi's work extends beyond PVS too. She is collaborating with ENT specialists to use OCT for complex airway diagnoses. Looking ahead, Dr. Zablah Alabi is working on integrating OCT with virtual and augmented reality for enhanced preprocedural planning and to help further reduce time under anesthesia, radiation exposure and contrast-agent use.
As a leader in cardiac catheterization, Children’s Colorado continues to share its findings and experiences, influencing other centers to adopt these technologies. With ongoing research and collaborative efforts, Dr. Zablah Alabi and her team are setting new standards for the use of OCT technology in treating and caring for children with PVS, other cardiac conditions and more.
Featured researchers
Jenny Zablah Alabi, MD
Interventional cardiologist
The Heart Institute
Children's Hospital Colorado
Associate professor
Pediatrics-Cardiology
University of Colorado School of Medicine
