INOUE BALLOON DEFORMITY AND RUPTURE DURING PERCUTANEOUS BALLOON VALVULOPLASTY

In the management of mitral stenosis, similar long-term results can be obtained by using either an Inoue balloon catheter or a double-balloo n technique for percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty, There have been fe w reports concerning any deformity of an Inoue balloon, From January 1 988 to June 1995, 263 procedures of either mitral or tricuspid valvulo plasty have been performed in this center, The Inoue balloon catheter technique was used for 245 procedures, A deformity of the Inoue balloo n catheter was noted in 4 (1.6%) and actual rupture of deformed balloo n occurred in one (0.4%), All deformities were found at the distal por tion of the Inoue balloon, Valvular insufficiency became more severe a fter valvuloplasty in two cases, Following rupture of the balloon, nei ther arterial embolization nor perforation of the cardiac chambers dev eloped, In conclusion, a deformity of the Inoue balloon, although rare , can develop during percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty, The deformity may portend balloon rupture if additional maximal dilatations are und ertaken. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.