Percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty of mitral stenosis aided by cardiac ultrasound

Abstract

Recent reports 1–6 have established the feasibility of percutaneous balloon dilation of stenotic mitral valves. The standard transseptal technique used for this procedure was modified by Lock et al 2 to include dilation with an 8-mm balloon catheter of the ostium created in the atrial septum. Successful transseptal delivery of the larger balloons required for mitral valve dilation depends on an adequate-sized atrial septostomy; too small a defect may interfere with advancement of the valvular dilation catheter toward the mitral orifice. The present report describes the manner in which 2-dimensional (2-D) echocardiography was successfully used to monitor delivery of the valvular dilation catheter across the atrial septum and through the mitral orifice.