Balloon Mitral Valvotomy
Balloon Mitral Valvotomy
Balloon mitral valvotomy (BMV) is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive procedure used to treat narrowed mitral valves. A study showed that over 97% of patients who had BMV experienced a notable relief in their symptoms.
The mitral valve is one of the heart valves that allow the passage of blood from the left atrium (heart’s upper chamber) to the left ventricle (heart’s lower chamber).
Mitral valve stenosis, also known as the narrowing of the mitral valve, is a disease that causes the opening of the mitral valve to become smaller than normal. BMV is used to treat severe mitral valve stenosis.
Balloon mitral valvotomy, sometimes called the percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy or valvuloplasty, is a procedure used to open the narrowed mitral valve by inflating a balloon.
Who Is The Right Candidate For BMV?
- Advanced-age patients who are at high risk for open heart surgery.
- Severe form of mitral valve stenosis.
- Symptoms of disease
- Non-calcified and flexible mitral valves
- No left atrial thrombus is present
- Patients without moderate to severe mitral valve regurgitation.
- Rheumatic mitral stenosis
How Is BMV Done At The Heart Valve Experts?
At the Heart Valve Experts, our experienced cardiologist will first undergo a detailed health examination and recommend some screening tests to evaluate if you are the right candidate for the balloon mitral valvotomy (BMV) procedure.
Next, our cardiologists will give you some detailed step-by-step instructions to help you prepare for the procedure and prescribe some medications (if needed) based on your overall health condition.
The common steps of the BMV procedure include:
- The procedure uses a small, flexible tube called a catheter that has a balloon device attached to its tip.
- The catheter is inserted in the artery of your arms or groin, which will be carefully moved and guided up to the heart.
- The catheter will be guided to reach your narrowed mitral valve with the help of a live X-ray.
- When the catheter reaches the mitral valve, the balloon device attached to the tip of the catheter is inflated to open the narrowed mitral valve.
- The catheter is removed from the groin or arm, and the incision site is closed with the help of stitches.
Post Operation Follow-up
After the BMV procedure, you will be sent to the recovery room for bedrest and will have to lie straight for a few hours.
The cardiologist and healthcare team at the heart valve experts will closely monitor your condition and discharge you the next day or the same day, depending on your condition.
Our doctor may give you some pain medications to manage any pain and discomfort caused by the procedure.
You will need to increase your fluid intake after the BMV procedure to flush out the contrast dye from your body that was given during the BMV.
You will need to avoid activities that cause physical exertion for a few weeks or days after the procedure, depending on your overall health condition.
After you are discharged, our cardio specialists will give you follow-up instructions about when to visit the clinic again for a checkup.
You will need to monitor your incision sites and check for signs of bleeding, swelling, pain, abnormal discoloration, or any other unusual symptoms, and visit the doctor immediately if any signs appear.
Causes Of Structural Heart Diseases
- Mild mitral stenosis
- Left atrial thrombus or moderate to severe mitral regurgitation.
- Vegetation tumor
- Infective endocarditis
- Chronic or irreversible life-limiting non-cardiovascular disorder.
- BMV may not be appropriate for patients in whom surgery is considered non-risky.
What Is The Success Rates Of Mitral Balloon Valvuloplasty?
The long-term effects of BMV have shown 70-90% survival rates up to 10 years of having the procedure without experiencing any negative events.
Out of 100 patients who had balloon mitral valvotomy, 80-95 experienced immediate symptom relief with successful procedural outcomes.
Moreover, only 35-50 patients out of 100 needed another surgery after 3 to 7 years of having BMV.
With a proficient technique and appropriate patient selection, BMV has shown a high survival rate with freedom from symptoms.
At the Heart Valve Experts, we make sure that you are the right candidate for BMV with a detailed health evaluation before undergoing the procedure.
Our healthcare team is always on board to ensure that you receive the proper care and treatment while undergoing BMV.