Treatment Detail

Balloon Valvuloplasty

A minimally invasive cardiac procedure used to widen a narrowed heart valve (valvular stenosis) by inflating a balloon inside the valve.

It is most commonly used for:

• Mitral stenosis
• Pulmonary valve stenosis
• Aortic stenosis (in selected young patients or as a bridge to TAVI/surgery)

 

Why It’s Done

Balloon valvuloplasty is performed when a valve becomes stiff or narrowed due to:

• Rheumatic heart disease (especially mitral stenosis)
• Congenital valve defects (especially pulmonary stenosis)
• Degenerative calcification (less effective in calcified aortic valves)

The goal is to improve blood flow and relieve symptoms such as:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest discomfort
• Exercise intolerance
• Fatigue
• Syncope (depending on valve involved)

 

How the Procedure Works

1. A catheter is inserted through a blood vessel (usually femoral vein or artery).
2. It is guided through the circulatory system to the stenotic valve.
3. A specialized balloon at the catheter tip is positioned across the valve.
4. The balloon is inflated to stretch and separate the fused valve leaflets.
5. The balloon is deflated and removed.

 

No surgical incision in the chest is required.

 

Types of Balloon Valvuloplasty

 

1. Percutaneous Mitral Balloon Valvotomy (PMBV)

• Most effective in rheumatic mitral stenosis with pliable, non-calcified leaflets.
• Uses an Inoue balloon or double-balloon technique.

2. Balloon Pulmonary Valvuloplasty

• First-line treatment for congenital pulmonary valve stenosis.
• Excellent long-term outcomes.

3. Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty (BAV)

• Limited durability; valve frequently re-narrows.

Used as:

• A temporary bridge to TAVR/surgery
• For high-risk or unstable patients
• In children with congenital AS

 

Benefits

• Minimally invasive
• Faster recovery compared with open-heart surgery
• Immediate symptom relief
• Often performed under sedation rather than general anesthesia

 

Risks

• Valve regurgitation (leaking)
• Embolic stroke (especially mitral valvotomy)
• Arrhythmias
• Bleeding or vascular complications
• Restenosis (valve narrowing returns over time)

 

Ideal Candidates

 

Best outcomes occur when:

• Valve leaflets are pliable and not heavily calcified
• Minimal or no valve regurgitation before procedure
• No left atrial thrombus (for mitral stenosis)