Balloon rupture during aortic valvuloplasty with compliant balloon: predictors and outcomes

Objectives of the study were the prevalence and clinical consequences of balloon rupture with compliant balloons in balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV). Compliant low-profile balloons have been developed to reduce access site complications. Made by thinner materials, these balloons are more prone to rupture. This is a single-center retrospective analysis (2016–2018) of patients undergoing BAV with compliant balloons. Baseline echocardiography and computed tomography (CT) were analyzed. Best cutoff point for calcium score was assessed. Long-term mortality was analyzed with Kaplan–Maier. In vitro test was performed. Rupture occurred in 30/90 (33%) of BAVs independent of risk factors, surgical risk and frailty scores. Patients experiencing rupture had increased mean gradient [53.5 (44–64) vs 44 (35–49) mmHg, p 2686 AU was more frequent in the rupture group (41% vs 10%, p