Valvuloplasty is a term for techniques that are aimed at ensuring the valve leaflets meet properly to obtain good closure of the valve. Commissurotomy is a specific type of valvuloplasty that is performed on valve leaflets. When a commissurotomy is performed, a scalpel is used to cut the leaflets at the commissures, which helps them open and close better. Sometimes a balloon catheter, similar to a catheter used during angioplasty, is used to open uncomplicated cases of stenotic valves. In this case, a balloon catheter is advanced across a valve and inflated to split the commissures and free the leaflets.
Annuloplasty techniques involve repair of the heart valve annulus.
This helps the leaflets meet again when the valve closes, eliminating the regurgitation of blood. In some cases, a surgeon may decide an annuloplasty ring needs to be implanted to support repair of the annulus. St. Jude Medical makes two types of rings for this purpose. The first artificial heart valve was implanted in 1952 to replace a poorly functioning natural heart valve. This was a major breakthrough for valvular disease.