Update on Percutaneous Mechanical Mitral Commissurotomy

A reusable metallic valvotomy device has been developed with the goals of improving the results of percutaneous mitral valvotomy and increasing the cost-effectiveness of the procedure. The device consists of a detachable and reusable metallic dilator with two articulated bars screwed at the distal end of a catheter. Using transseptal catheterization, the device is placed across the valve over a traction guidewire and then opened gradually by means of pliers up to a maximum of 40 mm. To date, the device was used in 168 patients with a broad spectrum of mitral valve disease. The procedure was successful in 95% of cases and resulted in an increase in mitral valve area from 1.01 +/- 0.8 to 2.20 +/- 0.7 cm(2). No increase in mitral regurgitation was noted in 87% of cases. Bilateral splitting of the commissures was observed in 89%. Complications included the following: 2 severe mitral regularization (one requiring surgery), 1 pericardial tamponade, 1 transient cerebrovascular embolic event. The maximum number of consecutive patients treated with the same device was 35. The results obtained are at least comparable to those of current balloon techniques and confirm the possibility of safe multiple reuses of the device after sterilization.