One-wire technique for performance of balloon aortic valvuloplasty.

Abstract

We present a new one-wire technique for balloon aortic valvuloplasty and discuss possible advantages of this technique over other techniques. The records of 16 patients who underwent 18 procedures were reviewed. A floppy-tipped, nitinol wire (Ultra-Select, Microvena Corp., White Bear Lake, MN) is placed across the aortic valve through a guide/measurement catheter positioned in the aortic root. The guide catheter is then removed, and the balloon catheter is positioned. Balloon dilation is then performed. Pre-dilation all patients had 0-1+ aortic insufficiency (AI). Four of 18 procedures resulted in an increase of >1 grade of AI, leaving 14 of 18 with < or =1 grade increase in AI. The mean gradient reduction achieved was 65%. Eighty-seven percent of the procedures have required no further intervention. The ease and simplicity of the procedure may reduce the risk of increasing AI, decrease fluoroscopy time, and arterial access time.