From the Guidelines
A valvuloplasty balloon to the mitral valve is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat mitral valve stenosis by inflating a balloon to stretch and separate the fused valve leaflets, improving blood flow and reducing symptoms. This procedure is based on the principle of using a balloon catheter to dilate the narrowed mitral valve, as first reported by Inoue in 1984 1. The Inoue balloon (Toray International America) was specifically developed for mitral valve dilations in adults and later used in older patients with congenital mitral stenosis and double-orifice mitral stenosis 1.
Key Points About Valvuloplasty Balloon Procedure
- The procedure involves inserting a catheter with a deflated balloon through a blood vessel and guiding it to the heart, where the balloon is inflated to stretch the mitral valve leaflets 1.
- The goal is to improve blood flow through the valve, reducing symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and heart palpitations.
- The procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia with sedation and takes 1-2 hours, with a hospital stay of 1-2 days for monitoring.
Indications and Outcomes
- According to the "ACC/AHA 2006 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Valvular Heart Disease," Class I indications for percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty include symptomatic adult patients with moderate to severe mitral stenosis and favorable valve morphology, as well as asymptomatic patients with moderate to severe mitral stenosis and pulmonary hypertension 1.
- Success is based on accurate preintervention diagnosis of the anatomic substrate of the mitral stenosis, and associated left-sided heart obstructions are important factors to consider when deciding whether a patient should undergo balloon dilation or surgical intervention 1.
- While not a permanent solution, valvuloplasty can provide significant symptom relief for several years before further intervention might be needed, making it a valuable approach for patients who are not good candidates for open-heart surgery due to age or other medical conditions 1.
From the Research
Valvuloplasty Balloon to Mitral Valve
A valvuloplasty balloon is a medical device used to treat mitral valve stenosis, a condition where the mitral valve in the heart becomes narrowed, restricting blood flow.
- The procedure involves inserting a balloon catheter into the heart and inflating it to widen the mitral valve, improving blood flow and reducing symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue 2.
- The valvuloplasty balloon is typically used in patients with severe mitral stenosis who are not good candidates for surgery or have already had mitral valve replacement 3.
- The balloon is usually inserted through a vein in the leg and guided to the heart using imaging techniques such as echocardiography 4.
- Once in place, the balloon is inflated to widen the mitral valve, and then deflated and removed 5.
Types of Valvuloplasty Balloons
There are different types of valvuloplasty balloons available, including:
- Inoue balloon catheter, which is a commonly used type of balloon catheter for mitral valvuloplasty 3.
- Shockwave lithotripsy balloon, which is used to treat calcific mitral valve stenosis, a condition where the mitral valve becomes narrowed due to calcium deposits 5.
Outcomes and Risks
The outcomes and risks of valvuloplasty balloon procedures vary depending on the individual patient and the severity of their condition.
- Studies have shown that valvuloplasty balloon procedures can be effective in improving symptoms and reducing the risk of complications in patients with mitral stenosis 2, 4.
- However, there are also risks associated with the procedure, including bleeding, infection, and damage to the heart or surrounding tissues 6.