Indications and outcome of valvuloplasty.

Balloon valvuloplasty is widely practiced, but its result depends on the pathology considered. Percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty evolved from the earlier development of percutaneous balloon valvotomy of the pulmonic valve into an effective method for the treatment of patients with mitral stenosis. Percutaneous aortic balloon valvotomy has been used as an alternative to aortic valve replacement in elderly patients with degenerative calcific aortic stenosis, but immediate results are suboptimal and the short-term rate of restenosis is high. In congenital pulmonary valve stenosis, balloon valvotomy produces a dramatic relief of the pressure gradient with excellent long-term follow-up results.