Valvuloplasty

When you have a heart valve condition, you may experience shortness of breath, fatigue, or discomfort in your chest. In some patients, these symptoms happen when your valve becomes too narrow or stiff, making your heart work harder. Valvuloplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that can widen the valve and allow more blood through, which may help you avoid surgery.  

WMCHealth interventional cardiologists use advanced techniques like valvuloplasty to provide relief from valve stenosis without the need for open-heart surgery. Whether you’ve just been diagnosed with a heart valve condition or already exploring non-surgical treatments, we’re here to help. 

What to Know About Your Valvuloplasty Procedure 

Here’s what you can expect before, during, and after your balloon valvuloplasty procedure. 

How to Prepare 

Your care team will provide specific instructions before your procedure, which may include: 

• Avoid eating or drinking for six to eight hours beforehand. 
• Pause or stop medications or supplements you’re taking. 
• Wear clothes you feel comfortable in and bring an extra pair of clothes in case you spend the night. 
• Arrange for someone to drive you home afterward, although sometimes an overnight stay may be required.

What to Expect During the Valvuloplasty  

Your valvuloplasty will be performed in a cardiac catheterization lab by a WMCHealth interventional cardiologists: 

• You may be given medicine to help you relax or sleep lightly during the procedure. 
• A catheter (a thin tube) with a deflated balloon is inserted into your artery or vein, usually in your groin or leg, and guided to your heart. 
• Once in place, the balloon is inflated to stretch open the narrowed valve. 
• After the valve is opened, the balloon is deflated and the catheter is removed. 

The procedure usually takes about 60 to 90 minutes. 

What to Expect Afterward 

After your procedure, we’ll monitor you to make sure your heart and the catheter site are both doing well. You might have a little bruising or soreness where the catheter went in, which is normal and should go away soon. You’ll likely go home the same day, but in some cases, a short stay in the hospital may be required. 

Before you leave, we’ll give you clear instructions about what to do at home. This may include a timeline for when you can be active again, how to take your medicine, and when to come back for a checkup. We may also schedule more tests to check in on how your heart valve is working.