Balloon valvuloplasty, also known as balloon valvotomy, is a medical procedure used to treat certain types of heart valve diseases, particularly stenosis, where the valve becomes narrowed and obstructs blood flow through the heart.
During the procedure, a catheter with a deflated balloon at its tip is inserted into a blood vessel, typically in the groin area, and guided to the heart. Once positioned across the narrowed heart valve, the balloon is inflated. The inflation helps to stretch and widen the valve opening, improving blood flow through the valve.
Balloon valvuloplasty is most commonly performed on the mitral valve and the aortic valve. It can provide significant relief of symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, and fatigue in patients with valve stenosis.