Mitral Valve Stenosis

Treatment

Mitral valvuloplasty is a non-surgical procedure that may be used to open a narrow mitral valve within the heart, also known as mitral valve stenosis. Mitral valve stenosis is most common after having had rheumatic fever as a child. Over time, the damaged leaflets of the valve can become fused together. This leads to a pressure buildup on the top left side of the heart which then can lead to shortness of breath and the buildup of pressure in the lung arteries known as pulmonary hypertension. Patients may remain without any symptoms till older in life or may present when they have conditions that place more strain and extra volume on the heart such as pregnancy. This procedure entails the use of a balloon which is advanced from the femoral vein up to the top right side of the heart and then across the division between the top chambers of the heart (atrial septum). The balloon is then advanced using an x-ray and usually echocardiographic guidance across the mitral valve and inflated. This technique cracks the leaflets of the mitral valve apart in an effort to open the narrowed valve.