Percutaneous mitral valvotomy in 200 patients using Inoue balloon-immediate and early haemodynamic results

We report our experience with percutaneous balloon valvotomy using the Inoue technique in 200 cases with rheumatic mitral stenosis. The procedure was successful in 195 (97.5%) cases with a fluoroscopy time of 9 +/- 2.7 and procedure time of 60 +/- 19 minutes. Mitral valve area as estimated by Gorlin's equation and pressure half time increased from 0.86 +/- 0.17 to 2.21 +/- 0.41 and from 0.94 +/- 0.14 to 1.90 +/- 0.26 (p < 0.001) respectively. Other hemodynamic variables including mitral valve gradient, cardiac output, left atrial mean and pulmonary artery pressure improved significantly. There were no deaths and the incidence of major complications was small. Increase in mitral regurgitation was observed in 35 (17.9%) with grade 2+ increase in 7 (3.6%). Inoue balloon technique is safe, easy to perform and provides excellent clinical and hemodynamic benefits in majority of cases.