[Percutaneous transluminal mitral valvuloplasty using the double balloon technic].

This paper describes the results in 3 patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis, who underwent percutaneous transluminal mitral valvuloplasty, using the double balloon technique. The clinical outcome after 6 months' follow-up is favourable. The procedure is effective and relatively safe, if careful patient selection takes place using echocardiography and cardiac catheterisation. Balloon dilatation of a stenotic mitral valve may be an attractive alternative to surgical open or closed commissurotomy.