A valvuloplasty is a surgical procedure that opens heart valves that have become stiff due to heart disease. The procedure involves inserting a catheter and inflating a small balloon to open the valve.

The heart has four valves, which are flaps of tissue that open and close each time the heart contracts. The function of the valves is to keep blood flowing in the right direction.

Valve disease is a group of conditions that can affect how the heart valves function. One type of valve disease is valve stenosis. This is where the valves in the heart become stiff and narrow, restricting blood flow.

Therefore, the heart must work extra hard to pump blood around the body. This can lead to fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Valvuloplasty is a treatment option for valve stenosis, as it helps open up the valves and restore proper blood flow in the heart.

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Valvuloplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a catheter and a small balloon to inflate and open narrow heart valves.

A doctor may recommend this procedure when valve stenosis occurs. This condition causes heart valves to become stiff and narrow. A valvuloplasty can help restore proper blood flow in the heart.

Other medical terms for valvuloplasty include balloon valvuloplasty, valvotomy, and balloon valvotomy.

The heart has four valves, which help control the direction of blood flow in its different chambers. Valve stenosis is a narrowing of the heart valves, which can occur due to age, medical conditions, or a heart problem that a person is born with.

Each of the four valves can be vulnerable to stenosis. A valvuloplasty may be suitable for a person with stenosis of one of the heart valves, such as:

  • Aortic valve stenosis: This restricts blood flow from the lower left side of the heart to the main artery that transports blood to the rest of the body. This is one of the most common types of valve disease. Valvuloplasty is the first-line treatment for a person with congenital aortic valve stenosis.
  • Mitral valve stenosis: This restricts the flow of blood from the upper to lower chambers on the left side of the heart. Valvuloplasty is typically the first-line treatment for rheumatic mitral stenosis, the most common type of mitral valve stenosis.
  • Pulmonary valve stenosis: This restricts blood flow from the lower right chamber in the heart to the arteries that supply blood to the lungs. Valvuloplasty can be the first-line treatment if a person has moderate to severe pulmonary valve stenosis.
  • Tricuspid valve stenosis: This restricts the flow of blood from the upper to lower chambers of the right side of the heart. Valvuloplasty may be suitable to treat tricuspid valve stenosis. However, if a person has tricuspid regurgitation or irregularities in other valves, a valve replacement may be a preferable option.

A doctor may use valvuloplasty as a temporary solution if a person is waiting for valve replacement surgery.

Before a valvuloplasty, a doctor will explain the procedure and give the individual the opportunity to ask any questions they may have.

A doctor may take a full medical history and ask about any previous surgical complications and any medication a person is currently taking.

A person may need to stay in the hospital the day before a valvuloplasty. Additionally, they may have to refrain from eating, drinking, or taking medication from midnight until after the procedure.

To begin the valvuloplasty, a surgeon may give a person sedation medication to help them relax. They will also numb the area of insertion with a local anesthetic.

After numbing the incision site, which is typically in the groin, the surgeon will make a small incision and insert a catheter into the blood vessel. The surgeon will guide the catheter into the valve with stenosis, using a special contrast dye and X-rays to help check the positioning.

When the catheter is in place, a surgeon can inflate the balloon, forcing the valve open. Once open, a surgeon can deflate and remove the balloon and remove the catheter.

Following a valvuloplasty, a person may need to lie flat for several hours. A doctor may perform some follow-up tests, such as an electrocardiogram, to check how the heart is beating. This may include monitoring a person’s blood pressure, heart rate, and heart rhythm.

A person will typically go home the day after the procedure. Once at home, a person should refrain from lifting heavy objects or strenuous activity for a few days.

A person may need to take medication following a valvuloplasty and may want to make any necessary lifestyle changes, such as following a heart-healthy diet and exercise regimen.

A valvuloplasty can help restore proper blood flow in the heart, relieving symptoms of stenosis. A valvuloplasty is less invasive than valve replacement surgery, so it can be a safer option for people with favorable valve characteristics, especially if a person is at risk from surgery.

However, it is important to note that the outcome of a valvuloplasty will depend on the type of stenosis. A 2023 study suggests that when treating congenital aortic stenosis, the most favorable long-term outcome of valvuloplasty occurs when it is the first-line treatment for aortic valve stenosis.

A valvuloplasty typically carries less risks than valve replacement surgery. However, there are several risks which can include:

Additionally, if a surgeon performs a valvuloplasty alone, there is a risk that the valve may narrow again. As such, a doctor may perform a valvuloplasty with valve replacement. For example, transcatheter aortic valve replacement is more common and involves using a balloon to dilate the valve before inserting a replacement valve to help regulate blood flow.

A valvuloplasty is a surgical procedure that opens the valves in the heart that have become hard or stiff.

Valves in the heart help keep blood flowing in the right direction. As people age, they may develop heart valve stenosis, which is a narrowing of the heart valves. A person may also be born with a heart problem that can cause heart valve stenosis.

A valvuloplasty involves inserting a catheter through an incision in the groin and inflating a small balloon to open the valve and relieve symptoms of heart valve stenosis. The procedure can restore correct blood flow to the heart and may also be a temporary option if a person requires valve replacement surgery.

A valvuloplasty is typically a less invasive procedure than valve replacement surgery. However, there are several possible risks, including stroke, rupturing of the valve, and blood leaking backward through the valves.