Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty in Iran Details
What is balloon aortic valvuloplasty
Balloon aortic valvuloplasty is a procedure in which the aortic valve is repaired by widening the narrowed valve to improve blood flow.
A valvuloplasty is done with the help of a balloon catheter which is placed in the aortic valve, which has narrowed down due to calcium buildup.
Balloon aortic valvuloplasty is used as a bridge or treatment option for those patients who do not require major heart surgery.
Furthermore, this surgery is done with the help of smaller incisions as compared to standard heart surgery but larger incisions than robotic surgery.
Causes of balloon aortic valvuloplasty
The aortic valve is among the four valves of the heart, between the left ventricle and the aorta, the largest blood vessel in your body.
The aortic valve opens and closes in a steady rhythm to circulate oxygen-rich blood into the aorta.
However, sometimes the valve might not open and close properly, and because of which the heart muscles must work harder.
Stenosis in simple words is the narrowing of the leaflets or cusps due to thickening or scarring of your valve that lets a small amount of blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta to reach the body.
A few causes for aortic valve stenosis are:
- Calcium buildup
- Heart defect from birth
- Rheumatic fever
Aortic valve stenosis affects both young and adults.
People with mild aortic valve stenosis don’t usually feel any symptoms. It takes time for the signs of coming to notice, and even a weakening heart can be overlooked.
For patients with serious cases, some of the symptoms that should be noted are:
- Shortness of breath
- Tightness or chest pain
- Fatigue
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Heart murmur
- Heart palpitation (pounding heart)
Balloon aortic valvuloplasty is among the few treatments opted for curing aortic valve stenosis instead of surgeries.
The procedure of balloon aortic valvuloplasty
In this procedure, the doctor inserts a guidewire through a small incision into an artery in the thigh.
The catheter makes its way to the aortic valve where a balloon catheter is passed through it.
When the tip reaches the valve, the balloon is inflated to push open the stiff valve and stretch the leaflets or cusps.
Later, the balloon is deflated after which the catheter and guidewire are removed.
The valve is left wide open for the blood to flow freely in the body.
Balloon aortic valvuloplasty is considered best for infants and children.
As for adults, there are chances that the valve may narrow again and hinder blood flow.
Preventions:
Aortic valve stenosis cannot be prevented, but a few steps can be considered to lessen its chances.
Some of them go as follows:
- Maintaining good dental hygiene
- Take care of high blood pressure and high cholesterol
- Look forward to a healthy lifestyle
Benefits of balloon aortic valvuloplasty:
- Shorter recovery time than other surgeries
- Delay chances of surgeries for a few years
- Can show results as good as surgical replacement or repair
Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty
Our Gallery
