Valvuloplasty of a stenosed mitral valve bioprothesis.

An 86-year-old female patient was admitted to our hospital with a stenosed biological mitral valve prothesis (orifice area 0.75 cm(2)). Additional cardiac surgery was refused by the patient and her physician. Therefore, balloon valvuloplasty of the mitral valve bioprothesis was planned. Valvulopasty was successfully and safely performed using a standard mitral valve valvuloplasty protocol. Positioning of the Inoue-balloon was facilitated using a wire that was inserted into the left ventricle and simultaneous transthoracic echocardiography. The Inoue balloon was inflated twice (26 mm). After valvuloplasty, echocardiography was repeated, showing a reduction in mean pressure gradient (5 mmHg) and increased orifice area (1.2 cm(2)) without relevant mitral valve regurgitation.