Results of percutaneous transluminal valvuloplasty in 218 adults with valvular aortic stenosis

The results of balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) in 218 adult patients with valvular aortic stenosis (AS) are reported. In most cases, 3 transcutaneously introduced balloons of successively increasing size were used. Tolerance was excellent in 64%, whereas a decrease in blood pressure below 60 mm Hg during inflation was observed in 36%. The left ventricular-aortic peak to peak gradient decreased from 72 ± 25 to 29 ± 14 mm Hg (p < 0.001) and the aortic valve area increased from 0.52 ± 0.18 to 0.93 ± 0.33 cm 2 (p < 0.001). The final aortic valve area was ≥1 cm 2 in 69 patients (32%). In only 6 cases (3%) the aortic valve area did not change or increased by