| Your body's organs require blood and oxygen in order | | | | How Balloon Valvotomy Is Done |
| to function correctly. This is the reason it is critical | | | | Balloon valvotomy is a simple, alternative approach to |
| that your heart be able to pump a sufficient supply | | | | mitral valve surgery. It doesn't require invasive |
| of oxygenated blood. Unfortunately, there are many | | | | surgery, but instead uses a long tube called a |
| problems that can prevent this from happening. One | | | | catheter. The catheter is inserted into one of your |
| of those problems is a stenotic mitral valve (MV). | | | | blood vessels (typically, from the groin) and directed |
| This valve sits between the upper and lower | | | | toward your heart. Once your doctor - or a |
| chambers on the left side of your heart. It has two | | | | cardiologist - moves the tube into your right atrium, |
| leaflets - or flaps - that open and close according to | | | | he or she makes a small hole in the septum. The |
| your heart's rhythm. As the flaps open, blood flows | | | | septum is the wall that separates the two sides of |
| from the upper chamber to the lower one. When the | | | | your heart. |
| lower chamber has filled completely, the flaps close | | | | The catheter is then directed through the hole into |
| to prevent back flow. | | | | the left atrium and downward toward the stenotic |
| A stenotic MV is one that fails to open correctly. | | | | mitral valve. A small, deflated balloon is affixed on the |
| Rather than opening and letting blood flow freely into | | | | tip of the instrument. The doctor will move the |
| the lower chamber, it remains partly closed. As a | | | | catheter forward so the balloon is positioned |
| result, the lower chamber doesn't fill completely, | | | | between the two leaflets. Then, the balloon is |
| which causes a number of other problems. This | | | | inflated. |
| condition can be treated with a procedure called | | | | As the balloon inflates, it pushes the leaflets apart |
| balloon valvotomy, but the longer it goes without | | | | and widens the opening. In most cases, it is |
| treatment, the greater the likelihood of complications. | | | | necessary for the doctor to inflate and deflate the |
| Complications Arising From Mitral Stenosis | | | | balloon several times before the opening is |
| If the leaflets are unable to open properly, a portion | | | | sufficiently wide enough to allow blood to flow |
| of blood that should be circulated becomes trapped in | | | | through. After your doctor is satisfied with the |
| the left upper chamber (i.e. the left atrium). This can | | | | opening, the catheter and balloon are withdrawn. |
| cause the chamber to become bigger due to rising | | | | Balloon valvotomy is a minimally invasive mitral valve |
| pressure. It is forced to pump harder to move blood | | | | repair technique. Thus, recovery is typically quick and |
| through the stenotic mitral valve. At first, this seems | | | | free from major pain (though there will be a degree |
| relatively harmless, but it can eventually lead to heart | | | | of discomfort). X-rays will be taken of your chest |
| failure. | | | | and an electrocardiogram will be ordered before you |
| Stenosis of the MV can also cause fluid to fill your | | | | are released from the hospital. These are done so |
| lungs. This causes pressure to build inside the right | | | | the medical team can make sure the procedure |
| lower chamber (i.e. the right ventricle). Like the left | | | | yielded the desired effect. Your doctor will also |
| atrium, the right ventricle is forced to pump harder to | | | | inform you regarding medications to take and other |
| move blood into the lungs. | | | | steps involved with making a full, rapid recovery. |
| Another problem involves the accumulation of blood | | | | If you suffer from a stenotic mitral valve, ask your |
| in the left atrium. Because a portion of blood is | | | | physician whether balloon valvotomy is an appropriate |
| trapped within the chamber, clots can develop. Clots | | | | form of treatment. The procedure is relatively safe, |
| can potentially move out of your heart and to other | | | | fast, and will help you avoid the complications of |
| areas in your body, including the brain. | | | | stenosis. |