When aortic valvulopathy presents significant quality-of-life problems for the patient but also obvious risks of serious consequences, cardiac surgery may be necessary.
Different types of repair of the compromised valve can be performed:
- A separation of the valve cusps (the flaps) that have joined by a common tissue.
- A removal of the excess tissue formed between the cusps ensuring proper and tight closure of the flaps.
- A repair of possible holes that have occurred in the valve undermining its functions.
The techniques
A technique called “balloon valvuloplasty,” using a thin, elongated, tubular-shaped catheter that will make room for and widen a narrow, hardened valve inlet (stenosis).
A tip-mounted deflated balloon catheter is introduced from the groin and advanced to the aorta, then the balloon is inflated to dilate the narrow valve opening. Once valve opening is achieved, the balloon is deflated and withdrawn through the catheter.
This technique can treat aortic valve stenosis also in children and infants, but for adults, as it is possible that the aortic valve may narrow again over time to the point of stenosis, it is preferred to use it only for cases of patients in a more critical condition, and therefore not suitable to undergo more complex and demanding surgery.
The same catheter technique is also sometimes used to place a device with the function of “plugging” a leak produced subsequent to aortic valve replacement.
