Mitral Stenosis and Balloon Valvuloplasty

The mitral valve is the valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle in the heart. The valve narrows as a result of acute rheumatism of the joints. As a result, not enough blood can pass from the atrium to the left ventricle. At rest, the blood passing through the narrow valve is sufficient for the body's needs. However, during exertion, shortness of breath occurs because there is not enough blood passing through it. 

Treatment options vary depending on the degree of narrowing of the valve. For mild stenosis, medication is sufficient; for moderate to severe stenosis, the two options are mitral balloon valvuloplasty or open heart surgery.

The advantages of mitral balloon valvuloplasty are that it is performed under local anesthesia and patients can go to work the next day. However, valvuloplasty is a temporary procedure. But its advantage is that it postpones the mitral valve replacement operation.