Aortic Balloon Valvuloplasty

What is Aortic Balloon Valvuloplasty?

Balloon valvuloplasty is a non-surgical procedure performed to widen the opening of a narrowed heart valve (flaps of tissue that control the unidirectional flow of blood in the heart) and improve blood flow through the heart.

Indications for Aortic Balloon Valvuloplasty

Balloon aortic valvuloplasty is indicated to treat aortic valve stenosis, which is the narrowing of the valve between the left ventricle and the aorta (aortic valve).

Procedure for Aortic Balloon Valvuloplasty

The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia. A catheter (thin, long, flexible tube), with a balloon at the tip, is inserted through an incision made in the groin or arm and guided into the heart through a major artery. The balloon is positioned within the narrowed heart valve. Your surgeon inflates and deflates the balloon, pressing against the calcified (hardened) tissue to widen the opening of the valve. Once the opening is widened sufficiently, the balloon is deflated and the catheter is removed.  A dressing and pressure are applied to the insertion site to prevent bleeding.

Risks Associated with Aortic Balloon Valvuloplasty

As with all invasive procedures, balloon aortic valvuloplasty may involve complications such as damage of the aortic valve, stroke, heart attack, bleeding, pain, tenderness and swelling at the insertion site.