Your body’s organs require blood and oxygen in order to function correctly. This is the reason it is critical that your heart be able to pump a sufficient supply of oxygenated blood. Unfortunately, there are many problems that can prevent this from happening. One of those problems is a stenotic mitral valve (MV).

This valve sits between the upper and lower chambers on the left side of your heart. It has two leaflets – or flaps – that open and close according to your heart’s rhythm. As the flaps open, blood flows from the upper chamber to the lower one. When the lower chamber has filled completely, the flaps close to prevent back flow.

A stenotic MV is one that fails to open correctly. Rather than opening and letting blood flow freely into the lower chamber, it remains partly closed. As a result, the lower chamber doesn’t fill completely, which causes a number of other problems. This condition can be treated with a procedure called balloon valvotomy, but the longer it goes without treatment, the greater the likelihood of complications.

Complications Arising From Mitral Stenosis

If the leaflets are unable to open properly, a portion of blood that should be circulated becomes trapped in the left upper chamber (i.e. the left atrium). This can cause the chamber to become bigger due to rising pressure. It is forced to pump harder to move blood through the stenotic mitral valve. At first, this seems relatively harmless, but it can eventually lead to heart failure.

Stenosis of the MV can also cause fluid to fill your lungs. This causes pressure to build inside the right lower chamber (i.e. the right ventricle). Like the left atrium, the right ventricle is forced to pump harder to move blood into the lungs.

Another problem involves the accumulation of blood in the left atrium. Because a portion of blood is trapped within the chamber, clots can develop. Clots can potentially move out of your heart and to other areas in your body, including the brain.

How Balloon Valvotomy Is Done

Balloon valvotomy is a simple, alternative approach to mitral valve surgery. It doesn’t require invasive surgery, but instead uses a long tube called a catheter. The catheter is inserted into one of your blood vessels (typically, from the groin) and directed toward your heart. Once your doctor – or a cardiologist – moves the tube into your right atrium, he or she makes a small hole in the septum. The septum is the wall that separates the two sides of your heart.

The catheter is then directed through the hole into the left atrium and downward toward the stenotic mitral valve. A small, deflated balloon is affixed on the tip of the instrument. The doctor will move the catheter forward so the balloon is positioned between the two leaflets. Then, the balloon is inflated.

As the balloon inflates, it pushes the leaflets apart and widens the opening. In most cases, it is necessary for the doctor to inflate and deflate the balloon several times before the opening is sufficiently wide enough to allow blood to flow through. After your doctor is satisfied with the opening, the catheter and balloon are withdrawn.

Balloon valvotomy is a minimally invasive mitral valve repair technique. Thus, recovery is typically quick and free from major pain (though there will be a degree of discomfort). X-rays will be taken of your chest and an electrocardiogram will be ordered before you are released from the hospital. These are done so the medical team can make sure the procedure yielded the desired effect. Your doctor will also inform you regarding medications to take and other steps involved with making a full, rapid recovery.

If you suffer from a stenotic mitral valve, ask your physician whether balloon valvotomy is an appropriate form of treatment. The procedure is relatively safe, fast, and will help you avoid the complications of stenosis.

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Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: balloon mitral valvotomy, mitral, health facts, cardio vascular health, surgeries