Successful Percutaneous Balloon Mitral Valvuloplasty Using Left Ventricular Pressure as a Guide to Cross the Mitral Valve

Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) provides an effective alternative to surgery in a selective group of patients with symptomatic mitral stenosis. The Inoue balloon technique involves transseptal catheterization followed by catheter manipulation to cross the mitral valve. The authors describe a case of successful percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty in a patient with severe mitral stenosis and pulmonary hyperten sion. Left ventricular systolic pressure was used as a guide to locate and to advance the balloon catheter across the mitral valve. This technique to cross the mitral valve has not been reported in the literature.