Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty (BAV)

What is Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty?

Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty (BAV) is a catheter-based procedure in which a balloon is used to stretch open a narrowed (stenotic) aortic valve. While it does not replace the valve, it can meaningfully improve blood flow and relieve symptoms, and is often used as a bridge to more definitive treatment such as TAVR or surgical valve replacement, especially in patients who are unstable or need urgent symptom relief.

Who Needs BAV?

• Critically ill patients with severe aortic stenosis who need urgent symptom stabilisation
• Patients being bridged to TAVR or surgical aortic valve replacement
• Selected patients in whom valve replacement must be temporarily deferred
• Patients with aortic stenosis requiring urgent non-cardiac surgery

How is BAV Performed?

A catheter carrying a balloon is advanced through the femoral artery to the level of the narrowed aortic valve. Under rapid pacing and live imaging guidance, the balloon is briefly inflated to stretch the fused, calcified valve leaflets apart, improving the valve opening and easing the workload on the heart.

Benefits of BAV

• Rapid symptomatic relief in critically unwell patients
• Minimally invasive bridge therapy before definitive valve treatment
• Can be performed relatively quickly in urgent clinical situations

Recovery After BAV

Patients are closely monitored following the procedure, with a clear plan made for definitive valve treatment such as TAVR once their overall condition stabilises.

Why Choose Dr. Prashant Dwivedi for BAV in Jaipur?

As Director of the TAVR and Structural Heart Programme, Dr. Prashant Dwivedi offers BAV as part of a complete, structured pathway toward definitive aortic valve treatment for patients in Jaipur.