Treatment

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?

• 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
• 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
• 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