title: Mitral balloon valvuloplasty in pregnancy: advantages of a unique balloon.
abstract: The burden of pregnancy in patients with severe mitral stenosis continues to present a therapeutic challenge. We present two such cases successfully treated with balloon valvuloplasty using the Inoue balloon. The unique features of this balloon may render it the technique of choice for selected pregnant patients with severe mitral stenosis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: E W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Gangbar
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Chisholm
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008946:Mitral Valve Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*