What is balloon valvuloplasty?
Balloon valvuloplasty (also called valvulotomy or valvotomy) is a procedure that widens a heart valve that is narrowed. The cause of this narrowing in the aortic valve is aortic valve stenosis.
The doctor puts a thin, flexible catheter into the blood vessel in your upper leg (groin) and advances it through the aorta into the heart. When the tube reaches the narrow heart valve, the balloon is inflated and deflated. Your doctor might do this a few times. The balloon widens the valve opening. Then your doctor removes the balloon and tube from your body.
During the procedure, you will be awake. But you will receive local anesthesia where the catheter is inserted.
Why might I need balloon valvuloplasty?
Valvuloplasty is suggested to open a heart valve that has become stiff. But, not all conditions in which a heart valve becomes stiff are treatable with balloon valvuloplasty.
When one or more valves become stiff, the heart muscles work harder to pump the blood through the valve. If one or more valves become leaky, blood leaks backwards and less blood is pumped in the proper direction.
Cause of the stiff – infections, (such as rheumatic fever or staphylococcus infections), congenital defects and aging.
Symptoms include:
- Dizziness
- Chest pain
- Troubling with breathing
- Palpitations
- Swelling if the feet, ankle or abdomen
- Rapid weight gain
After the balloon valvuloplasty procedure
After the procedure, you may be taken to the recovery room for observation or returned to your hospital room. Bedrest may vary from two to six hours depending on your specific condition.
You should move slowly when getting up from the bed to avoid any dizziness from the long period of bedrest. You will most likely spend the night in the hospital under observation after the procedure. You may be asked to stay longer depending on your condition and the results of the procedure.
Once you are discharged and at home, you should carefully monitor the insertion site for any bleeding, unusual pain, swelling, and abnormal discoloration or temperature change at or near the injection site. A small bruise is normal. If you notice anything unusual including fever and/or chills, notify your cardiologist immediately.