Balloon dilatation of a porcine bioprosthetic valve in aortic position.

We describe a case of percutaneous balloon valvoplasty of a stenotic Hancock bioprosthesis in aortic position. The procedure reduced the peak systolic gradient from 110 to 25 mm Hg. The calculated area of the orifice increased from 0.59 to 1.07 cm2. A cineaortogram performed after the procedure showed trivial aortic regurgitation and the subsequent immediate course was uneventful. The mechanism of dilatation and the risks of the procedure are discussed.