Valvuloplasty
What is a valvuloplasty (also called percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty, balloon valvuloplasty)?
Valvuloplasty is a procedure offered at the Inova Heart Center. It is used to widen a stiff or narrowed heart valve (stenotic heart valve). A catheter is guided through the heart and positioned through the diseased heart valve. Balloons on the catheter are inflated, enlarging the opening through the valve and improving blood flow through the heart and to the rest of the body. This allows the heart to pump more effectively, reduces pressures in the heart and lungs, and reduces symptoms.
Valvuloplasty has become increasingly popular in children and adolescents with congenital stenotic valves. In adults, it is the procedure of choice for mitral valve stenosis with minimal calcium deposits. It is also performed as an alternative to surgical replacement in patients with severe aortic stenosis who are very elderly, debilitated, disabled and considered high-risk or unsuitable surgical candidates.
The risks, benefits, and effectiveness of valvuloplasty are highly dependent on several factors. These include which one of the four heart valves is stenotic, the cause of the valve stenosis, the severity of valve leaking, the appearance of the valve on echocardiogram, heart muscle function, patient age, and associated medical problems. An understanding of complex issues such as the risk and benefits of valvuloplasty will require a long discussion with your Inova cardiologist.
For more specific information regarding before, during and after the procedure, click here
- Adult Congenital Heart Clinic
- Hospital Care
- Medications
- Lifestyle Changes
- Cardioversion
- Ablation
- Angioplasty
- Directional Coronary Athrectomy
- Laser
- Ratoblator®
- Stents
- Valvuloplasty
- Aortic Aneurysm Repair
- Carotid Endarterectomy
- Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
- Cardiac Valve Replacement/Repair
- Transmyocardial Revascularization
- Heart Transplant
- Cryoablation
- Optimzer II
- EECP
- Congenital Defects
