Valvuloplasty (or PTBV, percutaneous transluminal balloon valvuloplasty) is a procedure that is performed in the cardiac cath lab. PTBV is meant to treat narrowed, hardened heart valves, and happens in 3 steps:
- An expandable balloon catheter is brought into your heart and placed inside the narrowed, hardened heart valve.
- The balloon is inflated, stretching the valve so it’s free to open more efficiently.
- The catheter is deflated and then withdrawn. Blood is left to flow more easily and efficiently.
