Balloon valvuloplasty
Overview
Balloon valvuloplasty is a medical procedure used to widen a narrowed heart valve. It is a type of percutaneous coronary intervention that uses a balloon catheter to dilate a stenotic (narrowed) heart valve, typically the mitral, aortic, pulmonary, or tricuspid valve. The procedure is less invasive than traditional open-heart surgery and is often the preferred treatment for certain types of heart valve disease.
Indications
Balloon valvuloplasty is indicated for patients with symptomatic severe valvular stenosis, particularly those who are not suitable candidates for valve replacement surgery due to high surgical risk. The procedure is most commonly used for the treatment of mitral stenosis, aortic stenosis, pulmonary stenosis, and tricuspid stenosis. It may also be used in certain cases of valve regurgitation.
Procedure
The procedure involves the insertion of a catheter with a balloon at its tip into the patient's vascular system. The catheter is guided to the site of the narrowed valve using fluoroscopic guidance. Once in place, the balloon is inflated to dilate the stenotic valve, improving blood flow.
Risks and Complications
As with any medical procedure, balloon valvuloplasty carries certain risks and potential complications. These may include bleeding at the catheter insertion site, infection, damage to the heart valve or surrounding structures, and the potential need for emergency surgery.
Outcomes
The success of balloon valvuloplasty largely depends on the specific characteristics of the valve disease and the patient's overall health status. In general, the procedure can significantly improve symptoms and quality of life for patients with severe valvular stenosis.