Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty
Also written as: BAV — Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty
A palliative procedure using balloon inflation to temporarily widen stenotic aortic valves in elderly patients who are not candidates for valve replacement.
Full Definition
Balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) is a minimally invasive procedure where a balloon catheter is inflated within a stenotic aortic valve to fracture calcific deposits and improve valve opening. In geriatric cardiology, it serves primarily as a bridge to transcatheter valve replacement or as palliation in extremely high-risk patients. While providing temporary symptomatic relief, BAV typically offers limited durability with restenosis occurring within months. The procedure carries significant risks including stroke, vascular complications, and hemodynamic instability, requiring careful patient selection and multidisciplinary team evaluation.
Usage
Usage note: Often abbreviated as BAV in clinical documentation; distinguish from balloon angioplasty procedures.
In Context
- "The 89-year-old patient underwent balloon aortic valvuloplasty as a bridge therapy before transcatheter aortic valve replacement." — Cardiology procedure note
- "BAV was considered as a palliative measure given the patient's prohibitive surgical risk and multiple comorbidities." — Geriatric cardiology consultation