Balloon Mitral Valvotomy

Dr. Mani, a leading Cardiologist in Kolkata​ ​​​​​​Heart Doctor conducts the Balloon Mitral Valvotomy with precision and the expertise he has gained over the years.

The procedure may involve any of the following:

The know-how of Angiogram :-

• After an injection of local anaesthetic, a fine tube, otherwise known as catheter, is put into the artery in the groin/arm.
• The tube is passed into each coronary artery.
• A series of video pictures are taken using x-rays and a contrast medium known as the x-ray dye.
• The contrast medium is injected into the main pumping chamber of the heart or the left ventricle.
• This is to measure the size of the heart and how well it is pumping and fuctioning.

Right Heart Catheter:-

A soft balloon 'pressure catheter' is put into the vein in your groin. It is passed along until it reaches the heart, going up into the blood vessels of the lungs. Pressures in the lungs and heart are monitored and recorded.

Trans Septal Puncture:-

This is a procedure to create a small hole to allow passage of the balloon catheter from the right to the left side of the heart.

Echocardiogram -

This can be either via the oesophagus (food pipe) or via the catheter in the artery.

How Mitral Valvuloplastyis performed?

• A wire is passed along the blood vessel, up to the heart, until it reaches the mitral valve.
• The doctor uses x-ray imaging to see the wire.
• Once the wire is in place, a balloon is passed along the wire into the damaged valve.
• The balloon is pumped up where the valve is narrowed.
• This widens the valve, as far as possible.
• The balloon may be pumped up several times.
• At the end of the procedure the wire and balloon are removed.

Risks of a percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty -

In recommending this procedure, Dr Mani, one of the best cardiologists in Kolkata gives you a clear balance of the benefits and risks of the procedure. Your doctor believes there is a net benefit for you to go ahead with this procedure. The risks and complications with this procedure can include but are not limited to the following,

Common risks and complications (more than 5%) include:

• Minor bruising at the puncture site.
• Abnormal heartbeat lasting several seconds, which settles by itself.
• Major bruising or swelling at the groin/arm puncture site.
• Loss of pulse in the arm after a radial artery (arm) procedure.
• A severe leak in the mitral valve can happen, which will need surgery to repair.

Uncommon risks and complications (1 – 5%) include:

• A stroke - This can cause long term disability.
• Embolism - A blood clot may form and break off from the catheter, which is treated with blood thinning medication.
• Accidental puncture of the heart, which may need surgery to repair.
• Death is possible due to the procedure.

Rare risks and complications (less than 1%) include:

• Abnormal heart rhythm that continues for a long time. This may need an electric shock to correct.
• Surgical repair of the groin puncture site and blood vessel.
• Loss of kidney function due to the side effects of the x-ray dye.
• Unable to get the catheter into the leg vein. The procedure may be changed to the opposite leg or to a different approach, for eg.neck or arm.
• The femoral artery (in the groin) is accidentally punctured. This usually requires pressure on the artery. Rarely, this may require surgery to repair.
• Infection. This will need antibiotics.
• A Heart attack can be caused.
• An allergic reaction to the x-ray dye.
• A higher lifetime risk from x-ray exposure.
• Air embolism. Oxygen may be given.
• Damage to the nerve in the leg.