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| SURGERIES OF THE HEART |
Percutaneous Balloon Valvuloplasty
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Percutaneous Balloon Valvuloplasty involves opening a constricted heart valve using a balloon threaded through blood vessels.
Any of the heart’s four valves can become deformed, either congenitally or because of scarring from disease. Valve deformities can either leak or restrict blood flow. When flow is restricted due to a very small valve opening (a condition called Stenosis), the valve needs to be repaired. This used to be done with open heart surgery, but certain valves can be repaired with a much less invasive procedure known as Percutaneous Balloon Valvuloplasty or Percutaneous Commissurotomy.
REASONS FOR THE PROCEDURE
Congenitally deformed heart valves or valves scarred by diseases such as rheumatic fever can reduce blood flow, leading to heart failure and death. Narrowing of a valve opening is called Stenosis.
RISK FACTORS FOR COMPLICATIONS DURING THE PROCEDURE
Even in patients who are too weak or ill to undergo major surgery, these procedures have a mortality rate less than 5%. Increased risk is associated with:
* Blood clots in the heart
* The anatomy of the valve
* Overall health status
BEFORE THE PROCEDURE
The patient will have to undergo a thorough evaluation to determine the overall condition, the health of the heart, and the exact nature of the valve defect. The success of the procedure depends a great deal on the condition of the valve—whether it is calcified, how thick it is, and how narrow the opening is. Many valves cannot be fixed with this technique and require open heart surgery.
PROCEDURE
The patient will be lying down in a special procedure room similar to a surgical suite. It will be filled with x-ray machines as well as an array of surgical equipment. Depending upon what artery is to be opened, a blood vessel in the groin or arm will be prepared and covered with sterile drapes. The doctor will then puncture the numbed skin and thread the long device into the blood vessel until it reaches the valve. Progress will be monitored by x-rays. Dye may be injected through the device to visualize the obstruction and assure that the device is in the right place.
AFTER THE PROCEDURE
Recovery time is minimal. The patient will probably need to spend the night in the hospital to make sure there are no complications, and the patient will be likely prescribed a medication like aspirin to prevent blood clots.
TIME TAKEN FOR THE PROCEDURE
1/2-2 hours.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
* Need for transfusion
* Leaking valve
* Need for vascular or cardiac surgery
* Embolic stroke (blood clot obstructing blood flow to the brain)
* Other systemic embolus (blood clot obstructing blood flow to an organ or other body part)
* Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
* Acute kidney failure
POSTOPERATIVE CARE
There will be a bandage over the puncture site. The patient may be prescribed a “blood thinner” like aspirin. Certain strenuous activities will be limited. Other activities, like exercises and fluid intake, may be encouraged.
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| Last Modified :
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 |
Compiled and edited by the Editorial team and
approved by Expert panel of h4heart.com
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