Why it's done

Doctors will examine you and determine if valvuloplasty or another treatment is right for your valve condition.

Your doctor may recommend valvuloplasty if:

• You have severe valve narrowing and are having symptoms
• You have narrowing of the mitral valve (mitral valve stenosis), even if you don't have symptoms
• You have a narrowed tricuspid or pulmonary valve
• You or your child has a narrowed aortic valve (aortic valve stenosis)

However, the aortic valve tends to narrow again in adults who've had a valvuloplasty, so the procedure is usually done if you are too sick for surgery or are waiting for a valve replacement.