Cardiology MCQ: Balloon Mitral Valvuloplasty (BMV)

Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty was introduced by:

A. Gruentzig B. Cournand C. Inoue D. Braunwald

Correct answer: C. Inoue

Inoue and team described percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty in 1983 from Japan. Till then mitral stenosis was managed surgically, by closed mitral valvotomy or open mitral valvotomy, with the latter requiring cardiopulmonary bypass. Inoue and colleagues introduced the balloon catheter through a septal puncture into the left atrium from the right atrium. The balloon was positioned across the mitral valve and inflated to release the fused mitral valve commissures. Now surgical mitral valvotomy is seldom done. Most cases are managed by balloon mitral valvotomy. If there is dense calcification of the valve preventing interventional management, surgical mitral valve replacement is planned.