[Method-related complications of balloon catheter valvuloplasty of heart valve stenosis in children and adults].

Within a short term of 7 years percutaneous valvuloplasty of congenital and acquired stenosis, the cardiac valves and the great central vessels has significantly improved. If strict criteria for the selection of patients are used the method is an important addition to cardiac therapy, since it requires no thoracotomy, no heart lung machine surgery, no complicated interventional follow up treatment and gives remarkable short and long term results. Starting from a thorough study of 300 publications (4836 patients) a survey of possible complications, their frequency and in percutaneous valvuloplasty is given for various methods. The compiled data and commentaries give a negative survey and shall lead to a new evaluation of indications. Some types of interventions (primarily the percutaneous rupture of degenerative calcified stenosis of the aortic valve in higher age) will lead only by significant improvements of technique (stabilization of myocardiac circulation, prevention of extreme hypotonic phases, use of cutting and sawing instruments: valvuloplasty under cardioscopy?) to acceptable long term therapy results.