commissurotomy
A surgical procedure to repair a stenotic heart valve by cutting along the natural separations between valve leaflets.
Full Definition
Commissurotomy is a cardiac surgical technique used to treat valvular stenosis, most commonly mitral stenosis, by surgically dividing the fused commissures (natural separations) between valve leaflets. This procedure can be performed as an open surgical commissurotomy or as a percutaneous balloon commissurotomy. The goal is to improve valve opening and reduce the pressure gradient across the valve while preserving valve function. Open surgical commissurotomy allows for direct visualization and precise division of fused structures, often combined with other valve repair techniques such as chordal splitting or papillary muscle splitting.
Usage
Usage note: Specify whether open surgical or percutaneous balloon technique when used in clinical documentation.
In Context
- "Open mitral commissurotomy was performed with excellent results, achieving a valve area of 2.1 cm²." — Operative note
- "The patient underwent percutaneous balloon commissurotomy as an alternative to surgical intervention." — Interventional cardiology report