Cardiac tamponade complicating mitral balloon valvuloplasty

Abstract

The efficacy of mitral balloon valvuloplasty (MBV), for the treatment of mitral stenosis has been recently demonstrated.1-5 However, major complications such as severe mitral insufficiency, systemic embolism, atrial septal defect or cardiac perforation can occur during the procedure.6,7 Tamponade, although consistently reported on, has not been described in detail regarding the mechanism, forms of presentation, management and outcome. This report analyzes these aspects in 8 patients who presented with acute tamponade during MBV.