Percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty: Retrograde, transarterial double‐balloon technique utilizing the transseptal approach

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Abstract
Between February 1985 and May 1987, 72 patients with mitral stenosis (MS) underwent percutaneous transluminal mitral valvuloplasty (PTMV). The retrograde transarterial double-balloon technique was used on 54/72 patients (75%); 16 males, 38 females; mean age: 39 ± 11 years. Transseptal catheterization was used to place two 0.035″, 350-cm exchange wires into the ascending aorta in order to be snared, retrieved, and exteriorized, each through a femoral artery. Over these wires, the balloon dilation catheters were advanced through the femoral artery, retrogradely, across the mitral valve, for PTMV. The transmitral mean gradient fell [18 ± 4 to 9 ± 5 mmHg (P < 0.001)]; the cardiac output increased [5.1 ± 0.8 6.1 ± 0.8 L/min (P < 0.001)]; the hemodynamically calculated valve area increased [1.2 ± 0.2 to 2.3 ± 0.6 cm2 (P < 0.001)]; and the short axis two-dimensional echocardiographic valve area increased [1.1 ± 0.3 to 2.2 ± 0.7 (P < 0.001)]. PTMV was unsuccessful in two patients (4%), due to the inability to maintain the inflated balloons in the mitral position. Significant complications were encountered in two patients: two strokes (3.7%) and one mortality from the stroke (1.4%). Significant mitral regurgitation occurred in two patients (3.7%); no post-PTMV hemodynamically significant atrial septal defects were detected. Follow-up (mean time: 11 ± 6 months) of 43 patients showed a persistent improvement in echocardiographic findings in 27 (63%) and hemodynamically measured mitral valve area in the 16 patients in which cardiac catheterization was repeated. The retrograde, transarterial double-balloon technique can successfully accomplish PTMV with good results and an acceptable low morbidity and mortality.