Valvuloplasty
A valvuloplasty is a procedure to open a stiff heart valve. A thin flexible tube (catheter) is inserted into a blood vessel and guided to your heart valve. The balloon on the end of the thin flexible tube is used to open the heart valve leaflets. Xray Dye is used to see the heart valve and the flexible tube on the monitor.
Before the Procedure
A nurse will call you a few days before to tell you how to prepare for the procedure and what time to arrive.
Please have a list of all medicines and supplements to review with the nurse.
Let us know of any special care needs.
Let us know if you do not want family or friends present when the nurse or doctor talks about your healthcare.
Day of the Procedure
Please arrive to the procedure area at the time you were instructed.
Bring a list of your medicines and supplements.
The Procedure
Your doctor will tell you where the flexible tube will be placed during the procedure.
Your doctor will use numbing medicine where the flexible tube will be placed.
You will be given medicine for pain and to make you sleepy. You will be sleepy but able to talk with your doctor and nurse.
In the Cath Lab
After the Procedure
You will return to a room to recover.
The flexible tube will be removed, and pressure held on the site.
Sometimes a device may be used to stop any bleeding.
Your nurse will tell you when it is safe to get out of bed.
Your doctor will tell you if you go home the same day or stay overnight.
You will receive further instructions regarding your care when you are discharged home.
