Surgical valvotomy

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Surgical valvotomy is a procedure to enlarge narrowed heart valves.

Key points

  • A surgical valvotomy often treats pulmonary stenosis and aortic stenosis.
  • This is an open-heart procedure.

A surgical valvotomy is performed to open up a valve.

Surgical valvotomy is a procedure done to open up a valve. It is done by cutting in to the valve leaflets which have become sealed. It is often done to treat pulmonary stenosis and aortic stenosis. This is an open-heart procedure.

Risks of surgical valvotomy

Risks include the possibility that the valve may become stenotic again or allow too much blood to leak out. This may require an additional surgical or catheterization procedure.

Last updated: December 11th 2009