Valvuloplasty

Overview

Valvuloplasty is a minimally invasive heart procedure used to treat narrowed heart valves. This treatment helps improve blood flow by widening the valve using a balloon catheter. It is especially useful for patients with mitral valve stenosis or aortic valve narrowing who are not ready or suitable for valve replacement surgery. Often referred to as balloon valvuloplasty or balloon valvotomy, it is a safe and effective method to relieve symptoms and improve heart function.

Why Valvuloplasty is Required?

To treat narrowed heart valves that affect blood flow

Recommended for mitral valve stenosis or aortic stenosis

When valve leaflets are stiff or stuck due to calcium build-up or scarring

Alternative to valve replacement in certain cases

Helps relieve chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue

Useful for patients not eligible for open-heart surgery

Helps improve heart pumping efficiency

Key Advantages of Valvuloplasty Treatment

Minimally invasive with small incisions

Faster recovery than open-heart surgery

Immediate symptom relief in many cases

Improves heart function and patient’s quality of life

Reduces risk of heart failure if done early

Can be repeated if valve narrows again

Performed under local anesthesia with mild sedation

How Should You Prepare Yourself Before Valvuloplasty Treatment

Your doctor may ask for echocardiogram, ECG, chest X-ray, or cardiac MRI

Blood tests to check general health and kidney function

Fasting for 6–8 hours before the procedure

Inform doctor about any blood thinners or regular medications

Discuss allergies, especially to dye used during imaging

Arrange for hospital stay (usually 1–2 days)

Prepare mentally for a short, image-guided heart procedure

How Valvuloplasty Treatment is Performed?

A catheter with a balloon at its tip is inserted, usually through a groin artery

Guided toward the heart using X-ray imaging (fluoroscopy)

Once at the narrowed valve, the balloon is inflated

The inflation widens the valve opening by stretching or splitting valve leaflets

The balloon is deflated and removed after improvement

Entire procedure usually takes 30–90 minutes

What You Can Expect Before, During and After Procedure?

1. Before Procedure:

Admission and preparation with monitoring devices attached

An IV line for medications or fluids

Discussion with cardiologist and anesthetist

Mild sedative to help relax

2. During Procedure:

You will be awake but sedated

No pain, but you may feel pressure or slight discomfort

Doctors use live imaging to guide the catheter

Balloon inflated briefly to open up the valve

3. After Procedure

Monitoring in recovery or ICU for a few hours

Echocardiogram may be repeated to assess success

Usually discharged within 1–2 days

Resume light activities within a few days

Regular follow-ups to track valve health

Risk and Potential Complications

Bleeding or bruising at catheter site

Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat) during or after the procedure

Stroke (rare) from dislodged plaque or clot

Valve leakage (regurgitation) in some cases

Balloon may not fully improve valve in heavily calcified valves

Infection risk (minimal, but possible)

Rare chance of requiring emergency valve surgery

Results/Outcomes

Most patients report improved breathing and reduced fatigue

Valve function often improves immediately or within days

Long-term results vary depending on valve condition and age

May delay need for valve replacement in many patients

Repeat valvuloplasty may be needed in future

Works especially well for mitral valve stenosis in younger patients