Aortic balloon valvotomy/dilatation at crossroads.

A wide spectrum of aortic stenosis, results of aortic balloon valvotomy or dilatation will be variable. The author point out the unsatisfactory results with balloon valvotomy in young adults, which are contrary to those obtained in children. The place of this procedure in the palliative therapy of the aortic stenosis is discussed. However we need to develop more objective criteria and optimal timing to evaluate the results of this intervention.