[Balloon dilatation of the mitral valve in a pregnant patient. A case report].

During the 17th week of gestation a 26-year-old female suffered pulmonary edema following appendectomy. Subsequently, the diagnosis of mitral stenosis was established. Balloon mitral valvotomy was performed in order to reduce the perinatal risk. During the procedure radiation exposure was minimized by means of total abdominal and pelvic shielding and transthoracic echocardiography was used for monitoring. Mitral valve area was increased from 1.4 to 2.1 cm2 without complications and the further course of pregnancy and delivery were uneventful. Balloon mitral valvotomy should be considered as a therapeutic alternative in pregnant women with symptomatic pliable mitral valve stenosis.