Valve injury and repair in balloon aortic valvuloplasty

Abstract
Aortic valves 0.5, 2.0, and 4.5 months after successful percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) were examined. BAV caused macroscopic and microscopic fractures in calcific deposits. An inflammatory response was identified that may lead to valvular scarring. This process may be an important factor in the development of restenosis after BAV.