Balloon-expandable valves

Balloon-expandable valves are devices used to replace a damaged or diseased heart valve without surgery. They are mounted on a flexible catheter and delivered to the heart through blood vessels. Once positioned at the faulty valve, a small balloon is inflated, causing the new valve to expand and fit securely into place. This minimally invasive procedure, known as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), offers an alternative for patients at higher surgical risk, providing improved blood flow and relief from symptoms like shortness of breath. The balloon expansion ensures the valve is firmly anchored, restoring normal heart function.