[Percutaneous aortic valvuloplasty prior to major abdominal surgery]

A 73 year old woman with severe aortic stenosis, functional class III, developed obstructive jaundice. A percutaneous aortic valvuloplasty was performed and the peak gradient decreased from 80 to 22 mmHg while the cardiac index increased from 1.83 to 2.22 l/min/m2 and the aortic valve area from 0.30 to 0.63 cm2. One week later, cholecystectomy, and common duct drainage was performed with no complications. Thirteen months later the patient remains functional class I with echographic findings supporting a continuous success of the aortic valvuloplasty. This patient illustrates one of the possible indications for percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty for severe aortic stenosis.