Use of a low-profile, compliant balloon for percutaneous aortic valvuloplasty.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the safety and immediate efficacy after balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) with a new, low-profile balloon.


BACKGROUND
BAV has a continuing role in the management of high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). BAV with traditional noncompliant balloons requires a large femoral arteriotomy and is associated with high rates of access site complications.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 20 consecutive patients undergoing BAV for severe AS. Retrograde transfemoral BAV was performed with a low-profile, compliant valvuloplasty balloon. Before and after BAV, transaortic gradients were measured invasively and by echocardiography, and aortic valve area (AVA) calculated. Access site complications, functional class and survival were recorded.


RESULTS
Patients were 79 +/- 12 years old and had an estimated mortality from open aortic valve replacement of (12.5 +/- 9.6)%. By catheterization, mean aortic gradient fell from 44 +/- 15 to 29 +/- 10 mm Hg (P < 0.001) and AVA increased from 0.63 +/- 0.22 to 0.89 +/- 0.33 cm(2) (P < 0.001). New York Heart Association functional class improved from 3.5 +/- 0.7 to 2.7 +/- 0.8. Procedural mortality was 0%. There were no vascular complications or significant worsening of aortic regurgitation.


CONCLUSIONS
Transfemoral BAV using a low-profile compliant balloon is feasible with acceptable immediate results and safety.
Yamen
Eric
E
Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California, USA. eric.yamen@health.wa.gov.au
Daniels
David V
DV
Van
HoHai
H
Yeung
Alan C
AC
Fearon
William F
WF
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003187:Compliance; D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color; D004867:Equipment Design; D005263:Femoral Artery; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome