The mitral valve sits between the left atrium and left ventricle of your heart. Its job is to help blood flow in the right direction. In some cases—often due to rheumatic heart disease—the valve becomes stiff or fused. This condition is called mitral stenosis, and it can lead to fluid buildup in the lungs, causing breathlessness and fatigue.
This procedure uses a balloon catheter to gently stretch open the narrowed valve, improving blood flow and relieving symptoms.
A canula or drip is placed in your arm to deliver medications.
You will receive a local anaesthetic to numb the area where the catheter is inserted—usually in your groin or wrist.
A sedative may be given to help you stay relaxed or you may be put under anaesthesia completely.
Using X-ray guidance, your cardiologist will thread a thin wire through your blood vessels to reach the mitral valve. A balloon is then guided along the wire and positioned inside the valve. The balloon is inflated to gently open the valve and may be inflated more than once.
Once the valve is widened, the balloon and wire are removed.
Most patients experience immediate relief from symptoms. This improvement typically lasts 5 to 10 years, and in some cases, up to 20 years.
