The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
Balloon valvuloplasty
VALVULOPLASTY OF THE MITRAL, AORTIC OR PULMONARY VALVE
If you have a narrowed heart valve, you may benefit from a balloon valvuloplasty
What is a balloon valvuloplasty?
Balloon valvuloplasty involves passing a thin plastic tube (catheter) through a large blood vessel into your heart.
A balloon is then inflated to open up your valve. It does not cure the problem but can delay surgery. It may also be used for children until they are old enough for valve replacement.
Need to know
This procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and light sedation, meaning you'll be drowsy but pain-free while it's carried out. After your skin has been numbed your consultant will make a small cut in your groin and a thin tube (catheter) with a small balloon attached to it will be passed into your heart. The balloon is inflated inside the narrowed valve to make it wider. The balloon is then deflated and removed, along with the catheter.
This minimally invasive procedure has a much shorter recovery time than full open surgery.
This minimally invasive procedure has a much shorter recovery time than full open surgery.
Your consultant will let you know how best to prepare for a balloon valvuloplasty procedure.
Although the procedure is significantly less invasive than open surgery, you will still need to stay in hospital overnight.
Our Balloon valvuloplasty locations
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.