Percutaneous aortic and mitral valvuloplasty.

Since 1984 and 1986, a new therapy has been proposed for patients with mitral and aortic stenosis, the Percutaneous Balloon Valvuloplasty (PBV). The outcome of the methods in each type of valvular heart disease have however been different. In mitral stenosis, PBV is used more frequently and the immediate and mid-term results are good when the technique is carried out by an experienced team. Percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty is, in many cases, the first therapeutic step and acts as a surgical commissurotomy. In aortic stenosis, PBV is rarely used because results are disappointing. The procedure is however indicated in the elderly when the operative risk is prohibitively high.