How Does Mitral Balloon Valvuloplasty Work?

Mitral balloon valvuloplasty is a minimally invasive treatment that improves blood flow to the heart. If you’re scheduled to undergo this procedure, knowing what to expect can help ease any anxieties.

Chinatown Cardiology, with four New York City locations, specializes in mitral balloon valvuloplasty for adults with mitral valve stenosis, which restricts blood flow to the heart.

Our skilled cardiologists provide information ahead of your visit to help you prepare for the procedure. We also offer comprehensive aftercare to ensure you recover fully and can return to your usual routine as quickly as possible.

What to know about mitral valve stenosis

Mitral valve stenosis occurs when the valve between the two left heart chambers narrows and prevents blood from flowing into the left ventricle.

This lower left chamber is the heart’s primary pumping chamber, responsible for moving blood out of the heart to the rest of the body. With restricted blood flow, you can experience symptoms that affect your health and quality of life, including:

• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Irregular heartbeats
• Coughing up blood

Our Chinatown Cardiology team uses the latest diagnostic technologies, including echocardiograms and chest X-rays, to confirm or rule out mitral valve stenosis as a cause of your symptoms.

Causes of mitral valve stenosis

A common cause of mitral valve stenosis is rheumatic fever, a complication of strep throat infection. You can also develop stenosis as you get older, and calcium deposits build up around the mitral valve.

Other causes of mitral valve stenosis include:

• Lupus
• Radiation therapy
• Congenital heart defects
• Use of certain medications

Without treatment, mitral valve stenosis can lead to ongoing complications that affect your cardiovascular health, including arrhythmia, heart failure, and blood clots. 

You may also be at increased risk of pulmonary hypertension, a condition that describes elevated blood pressure in the lungs that can lead to premature death.

Initially, our cardiologists may prescribe medications to improve blood flow through the heart and manage an irregular heartbeat and other symptoms. However, as mitral valve stenosis progresses, you may need balloon valvuloplasty or another surgical procedure.

What to expect during mitral balloon valvuloplasty

Mitral balloon valvuloplasty aims to widen a narrow valve using a small balloon inserted into the heart through a catheter.

Your cardiologist inserts the catheter into an artery in your groin and guides it to your heart. The catheter contains a small balloon that your physician inflates to open the mitral valve, allowing blood to flow through more efficiently.

We use image-guided technology to position the balloon within your heart.

When the valve is open, we deflate the balloon and remove it along with the catheter. Your provider seals the artery and closes the insertion site to prevent bleeding. You can expect to wear a tight bandage over the area to encourage blood flow and prevent clotting.

Better blood flow through the heart typically eases symptoms like dizziness and chest pain right away. However, it can take several days of recovery before you begin to feel better.

We continue to monitor your progress after valvuloplasty during follow-up appointments and provide resources to improve your cardiovascular health.

Call the Chinatown Cardiology office near you today to learn more about the benefits of mitral balloon valvuloplasty, or request an appointment online.