Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty for Aortic and Mitral Valve Disease

Balloon valvuloplasty is a nonsurgical procedure performed to repair stenosis (narrowing) of either the aortic or mitral valves.

During the procedure a special catheter is threaded into a blood vessel in the patient’s groin, guided into the heart and advanced to the narrowed heart valve. Once in the narrowed heart valve, the balloon in the catheter is inflated in an effort to increase the opening size of the valve, thereby improving blood flow. Balloon valvuloplasty is:

• A “bridge” to surgery in patients who are at high risk for aortic valve or mitral valve heart surgery
• An option to relieve symptoms in patients with other serious medical conditions that prevent performance of aortic valve or mitral valve heart surgery

For more information regarding aortic valve disease or to obtain a consultation or second opinion, please contact the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at 312.NM.HEART (664.3278).

Clinical Trials
For information regarding clinical trials related to aortic valve disease, please visit the Clinical Trials Unit of Northwestern, send an email or call 312.926.4000.

Referring Physicians
The Center for Heart Valve Disease team is available for physician-to-physician consultation regarding best patient care. Please contact the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at 312.NM.HEART (664.3278).