Mitral balloon valvotomy in children with inoue balloon technique : immediate and intermediate-term result

Abstract Percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy (PMV) using the Inoue balloon technique was attempted in 170 patients. Of these, 30 patients were children aged 10 to 18 years (mean 15.9 ± 2.7 years). There were 16 female and 14 male patients. All were in sinus rhythmn. The procedure was successful in 28 patients (93%). PMV was performed using 20 to 28 mm (mean 25 mm) diameter balloon catheters with an echo-Doppler guided stepwise mitral dilation technique. After PMV, the mean left atrial pressure decreased from 25 ± 5 to 14 ± 4 mm Hg ( p p 2 ( p 2 ( p 2 at 17 months' mean follow-up; one patient developed restenosis. We conclude the PMV using the Inoue balloon catheter is safe and effective in the treatment of severe mitral stenosis in children, with a low complication rate.