Single balloon valvotomy for rheumatic mitral restenosis

Four male patients aged 22 to 35 years (mean 29 +/- 5.6) with mitral restenosis following closed mitral valvotomy 6 to 12 years (mean 8.5 +/- 2.5) ago were subjected to percutaneous single balloon valvotomy. There was significant increase in the area of the mitral valve accompanied by a substantial reduction in the transmitral gradient (P less than 0.01). Mitral regurgitation of grade +1 developed in one patient. Balloon valvotomy may be safely and effectively performed in selected patients with mitral restenosis after surgical commissurotomy.