Complex balloon mitral valvuloplasty.

Abstract

With increasing operator experience, balloon mitral valvuloplasty, like complex coronary angioplasty, has been successfully attempted on patients with mitral stenosis complicated by a variety of factors, including severe pulmonary hypertension, tricuspid regurgitation, poor ventricular function, previous commissurotomy, extremes of age and suboptimal valve anatomy. Only this latter factor should be considered a major deterrent to BMV, at least in hospitals where the technique has been acquired and where balloon catheters are affordable.