Balloon valvuloplasty for mitral stenosis.

Balloon mitral valvuloplasty (BMV) for mitral stenosis is a procedure that has evolved significantly since its introduction by Inoue et al. in 1984. This article reviews currently used techniques, advantages, and limitations as well as outcomes in comparison with surgical procedures. Included is a review of imaging techniques that facilitate BMV, such as transesophageal echocardiography and the recently developed tri-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography and intracardiac echocardiography. In a separate section, the application of BMV in specific clinical situations, such as in patients with multivalvular disease, during pregnancy, in children, in the presence of thrombi, and in patients with bioprostheses, is discussed.