Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty: advancing the nursing perspective

Balloon mitral valvuloplasty is increasingly used to widen the narrowed mitral orifice in selected patients with valve stenosis and is a cheaper alternative to open heart surgery. This technique is gaining wide acceptance in clinical practice due to certain advantages, such as being less invasive and thus abolishing the need for thoracotomy, reduced costs and shorter hospital stay. Recent research indicates that there are substantial long-term benefits, such as improved functional capacity and relief from symptoms, which compare favourably with surgical valvotomy. As interventional cardiology expands, nurses must meet the new challenges and continue to expand and develop the unique nursing perspective in this field of patient care. A key role for nurses is to develop a trusting relationship, provide information to meet the patient's needs and emotional support.