PURPOSE:

To study the short-term results, complication and in-hospital follow-up of 268 percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty (PMBV) procedures performed with the low-profile monofoil balloon (LPMB) technique from 1990 to 1995.

METHODS:

A single 30mm balloon diameter was used in 247 (92.9) procedures, a single 25mm balloon diameter in 9 (3.3), a single 25mm balloon followed by a single 30mm balloon diameter in 7 (2.6) and in 5 procedures a balloon was not used. The mean age group was 36 +/- 12 years. Two hundred nineteen (81.7) procedures were performed in women (mean age 36 +/- 12 years) and 49 (18.3) in men (mean age, 35 +/- 14 years) (p = 0.78). Patients were in functional class II (NYHA) in 39 (14.5), class III in 198 (73.9) and class IV in 31 (11.6). Patients were in sinus rhythm in 228 (85.1) procedures and in atrial fibrillation in 40 (14.9). The echocardiographic score ranged from 4 to 14 (mean 7.2 +/- 1.5).

RESULTS:

There were 256 complete procedures, 249 of which were successful (mitral valve area (MVA) > or = 1.5cm2 after PMBV). Echocardiographic calculated MVA before PMBV was 0.9 +/- 0.2cm2. Hemodynamic calculated MVA before PMBV was 0.9 +/- 0.2cm2 and after was 2.0 +/- 0.4cm2 (p < 0.000001). Mean pulmonary artery pressure decreased from 40 +/- 15mmHg to 28 +/- 10mmHg (p < 0.000001) and mitral mean gradient from 20 +/- 7mmHg to 5 +/- 4mmHg (p < 0.000001). In the 256 complete procedures mitral valve (MV) was competent in 214 and there was 1+ mitral regurgitation (MR) in 42. After PMBV, MV was competent in 166 and there was 1+ MR in 68, 2+ in 16, 3+ in 5 and 4+ MR in 1. There were complications in 14 (5.2) procedures, severe MR in 6 (3 or 4+), stroke in 2 and cardiac tamponade in 6. Two patients died during emergency cardiac surgery after left ventricular perforation and 1 after stroke.

CONCLUSION:

PMBV with the LPMB was an effective procedure with a high success rate and a low rate of complications as the more usual double-balloon and Inoue balloon techniques.