Pc. Rath et al., BALLOON MITRAL VALVULOPLASTY WITH BIFOIL CATHETER - IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP RESULTS, Catheterization and cardiovascular diagnosis, 43(1), 1998, pp. 43-47
This report documents clinical and hemodynamic benefits of balloon mit
ral valvuloplasty (BMV) using a bifoil balloon catheter from a single
center in 415 consecutive cases of rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS). The
procedure was successful in 396 (95.2%) patients, with an increase in
mitral valve area (MVA) from 0.82 +/- 0.35 cm(2) to 2.21 +/- 0.24 cm(
2) (P < 0.001). There were 2 (0.48%) in-hospital deaths, and 6 (1.44%)
patients developed acute mitral regurgitation. The procedural and flu
roscopy time was reduced significantly from 52 +/- 11 and 38 +/- 6 min
to 33 +/- 7 and 19 +/- 5 min, respectively, after modifications of te
chnique in our last 326 cases. The bifoil balloon catheter technique i
s safe and effective, and provides excellent hemodynamic benefits whic
h are sustained at long-term follow-up. This technique should be consi
dered as an addition to the existing armamentarium of interventional c
ardiologists performing mitral balloon valvuloplasty. (C) 1998 Wiley-L
iss, Inc.