Pronounced: Purr-cue-TAY-knee-us BA-loon VAL-view-low-PLAS-tee
Percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty is done to open a constricted heart valve with a balloon.
Any of the heart’s four valves can become deformed. It may happen because of congenital conditions (from birth) or scarring from disease. A damaged valve can decrease the amount of blood that flows through it. This condition is called stenosis . Low blood flow can lead to heart failure and death. The valve will need to be opened to restore full blood flow.
Rheumatic fever and congenital birth defects are two top causes of stenosis.
Depending on the overall condition of the valve, relief of symptoms can be expected to last at least two years. Some people have relief of symptoms much longer.
If you are planning to have a valvuloplasty, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
Even patients who are too weak or ill to undergo major surgery have less than a 5% chance of dying during this procedure. Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:
You will have a thorough evaluation to determine your overall condition, the health of your heart, and the exact nature of your valve defect. The success of the procedure depends a great deal on the condition of the valve. This includes whether the valve is calcified, how thick it is, and how narrow the opening is. Many valves cannot be fixed with this technique. They will require open heart surgery instead.
Talk to your doctor about your medicines. You may be asked to stop taking some medicines up to one week before the procedure, like:
Only local anesthesia and perhaps mild sedation are used. Local anesthesia will numb the area. Sedation will help you relax.
You will be lying down in a special procedure room. There will be x-ray machines and surgical equipment. Depending on the valve that needs work, a blood vessel in your groin or arm will be prepared. A thin device (wire) will be placed through your skin to the blood vessel. It will be passed through the blood vessel until it reaches the valve. Progress will be monitored by x-rays. A tube with a balloon tip will be threaded over the wire. A contrast material may be injected through the device. This will help to visualize the area and make sure the device is in the right place. Once the balloon is in the valve, it will be inflated and deflated. Your doctor may need to repeat the inflation. The device will then be pulled back out of the blood vessel.
You will likely need to lie still and flat on your back for a period of time. A pressure dressing may be placed over the puncture area. It is important to follow the nurses' directions.
Between 30 minutes and two hours
You may feel some minor discomfort when the balloon is inflated. Some people report a flushing sensation if contrast is injected.
Most people are kept overnight for observation. Your doctor may choose to keep you longer if complications arise.
Recovery time is minimal. There will be a bandage over the puncture site. You may be prescribed a blood thinner, like aspirin . Certain strenuous activities will be limited. Other activities, like exercises and fluid intake, may be encouraged. Your doctor will want to see you several days or weeks later.
Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions.
After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Mount Sinai Hospital, Canada
http://www.mtsinai.on.ca/
University of Ottawa Heart Institute
http://www.ottawaheart.ca/
References:
American Heart Association. Percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty: acute and 30-day follow-up results in 674 patients from the NHLBI balloon valvuloplasty registry. Circulation. 1991;84:2383-2397.
Chen CR, et al. Percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty for pulmonic stenosis in adolescents and
adults.
N Engl J Med. 1996;33:21-25.
Kiwan Y, et al. Mitral balloon valvuloplasty by inoue technique without echocardiographic standby. Available at: http://www.kfshrc.edu.sa/annals/145/93189.html. Accessed August 23, 2005.
The Merck Manual of Geriatrics website. Available at: http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmg/sec11/ch96/ch96e.jsp. Accessed August 23, 2005.
Tarka EA, Blitz LrR, Herrmann HC. Hemodynamic effects and long-term outcome of percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty in patients with mitral stenosis and atrial fibrillation. Clin Cardiol. 2000;23:673-677.
Last reviewed November 2009 by Craig Clark, DO, FACC, FAHA, FASE
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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