Balloon valvuloplasty

Percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty has been used for several years for the treatment of stenosis of all four cardiac valves. It has been particularly effective in pulmonary stenosis in children and in rheumatic mitral stenosis, especially in the younger age groups without severe calcification. After initial enthusiasm, results have not been as good in severe calcific aortic stenosis, although there is a place for aortic valvuloplasty in patients who are truly inoperable for reasons of age or coexisting disease. The procedure also may be applicable to occasional cases of tricuspid stenosis. The techniques used and results obtained with these procedures at Indiana University are described.