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Balloon valvuloplasty is a cardiac intervention to open up a stenotic or stiffed heart valves (e.g., aortic or mitral) using a catheter with a balloon on the tip. It is also known as balloon valvotomy. It is a less invasive procedure because it is done by inserting a catheter into the blood vessel from groin percutaneously rather than valve replacement with cardiothoracic surgical or other open methods. This activity reviews the indications of balloon valvuloplasty and highlights the role of the interprofessional team in the management of these patients. Objectives: Identify the indications for balloon valvuloplasty. Describe the technique of balloon valvuloplasty. Recall the potential complications of balloon valvuloplasty. Discuss interprofessional team strategies for improving care coordination and communication to advance the technique of balloon valvuloplasty and improve outcomes. Access free multiple choice questions on this topic.

Balloon valvuloplasty is a cardiac intervention to open up a stenotic or stiffed heart valves (e.g., aortic or mitral) using a catheter with a balloon on the tip. It is also known as balloon valvotomy. It is a less invasive procedure because it is done by inserting a catheter into the blood vessel from groin percutaneously rather than valve replacement with cardiothoracic surgical or other open methods. Balloon valvulotomy has several types, depending upon which heart valve is involved for example: Percutaneous balloon tricuspid valvuloplasty Percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty Percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty[1]

A variety of complications are associated with balloon valvuloplasty. The following are some of the main complications: Bleeding or hematoma formation at the catheter site insertion Infection at the catheter site Vessel damage due to multiple puncturing attempts Contrast dye allergy Arrhythmia Stroke Valve rupture requiring open heart surgery Ventricular rupture Valve regurgitation[6]

Balloon valvoplasty is a cardiac intervention technique that is widely used today to manage stenotic lesions. However, the preoperative work is usually done by an interprofessional team. The patients need to meet the indications for valvuloplasty to derive the most benefits. The nurse practitioner, physician assistant, anesthesiologist, and cardiologist should ensure patient fitness for the procedure. Usually, the nurse practitioner or physician assistant does the initial screening and reports back to the clinical team leader if there are concerns. The cardiologist should ensure and confirm with the nurse practitioner or physician assistant that the patient has the right indications for valvuloplasty. A nurse in the cardiac catheterization lab is dedicated to the monitoring of the patient during the procedure and should report to the cardiologist if any abnormal changes in vital signs develop. After the procedure, the recovery room nurses need to monitor the patient's vital signs and the site of puncture for hematoma formation and distal leg pulses. If there is an elevation in heart rate or drop in blood pressure, the physician should be contacted immediately. Only through an interprofessional team approach can the morbidity of this procedure be decreased and the outcomes improved. [Level V]