Overview
Rheumatic heart disease remains common in India and frequently causes narrowing of the mitral valve (mitral stenosis), leading to breathlessness and palpitations — often in young adults and during pregnancy.
In balloon mitral valvotomy, a special balloon is passed through a vein into the heart and inflated across the narrowed valve to open it, giving rapid relief of symptoms.
Who may need it
- Moderate-to-severe rheumatic mitral stenosis with suitable valve anatomy
- Women planning pregnancy or pregnant women with symptomatic mitral stenosis (carefully selected)
What to expect
- Performed under local anaesthesia through the groin vein.
- The balloon is guided across the valve and inflated in stages while the valve opening is checked by echo.
Recovery & aftercare
- Most patients go home in 1–2 days and feel easier breathing almost immediately.
Medically reviewed by Dr. G.V. Senthilnathan, MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DM (Cardiology). This page is general information; your treatment plan will be tailored to your own reports and health.
