Catheter balloon valvuloplasty of stenotic porcine bioprosthetic valves: Part I: Anatomic considerations.

During the last several years, dilating balloons have been applied in the treatment of stenotic cardiac valves. This interest has recently been extended to stenotic porcine bioprosthetic valves. Part I of this review discusses the pathologic processes responsible for degeneration of porcine prostheses: intrinsic calcification (mineralization), cuspal tears and perforations, and cuspal thrombosis (non-infective). These changes form the basis of applied balloon valvuloplasty techniques.