Search

Aim: To compare the results of percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (BMV) for mitral restenosis in post-BMV versus postclosed mitral valvotomy (CMV) patients., Methods and Results: Ninety-two patients who underwent BMV for mitral restenosis were followed up prospectively. Of these, 28 patients had undergone previous percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PRIOR BMV) and 64 patients had undergone previous closed mitral valvotomy (PRIOR CMV). BMV for mitral restenosis was a success in 59% patients (57.1% PRIOR BMV, 59.3% PRIOR CMV, P = 1.0). Incidence of severe mitral regurgitation was 3.25%, all in the PRIOR CMV group. In univariate analysis, the major predictor of successful BMV for mitral restenosis was Wilkins score (P = 0.004). At a follow up of 3.47 + 2.07 years, mitral valve area was similar between groups (1.45 +/- 0.22, 1.46 +/- 0.26, P = 0.35). The combined end points of mitral valve replacement (MVR), need for re-repeat BMV for mitral restenosis or death was higher in the PRIOR CMV group (31.2% PRIOR CMV, 7.1% PRIOR BMV, P = 0.027). Event-free survival at follow up was lower in the PRIOR CMV group (69% PRIOR CMV, 92.8% PRIOR BMV) mainly due to the higher need for MVR (11 vs. 0 patients, P = 0.03)., Conclusions: In conclusion, following BMV for mitral restenosis, patients with PRIOR BMV are found to have lesser event rates on follow-up compared to patients with PRIOR CMV, though procedural success rates are similar., ((c) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Background and Aim of the Study: The study aim was to investigate the factors that affect changes in cardiac output (CO) following balloon mitral valvulotomy (BMV), which at present are essentially unknown., Methods: Among a total of 168 patients, clinical, echocardiographic and hemodynamic data before and after BMV were compared between patients in group I (<15% increase in CO after BMV) and group II (>15% increase). A multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors that were predictive of an increase in CO., Results: Before BMV, the mean CO was 3.9 +/- 0.9 and 4.1 +/- 0.71/min (p = NS) in groups I and II, respectively. Group I patients were more symptomatic, with a greater proportion in NYHA class > or =3. The pulmonary artery mean pressure (PAMP) was also higher in group I patients (51 +/- 20 mmHg) than in group II (35 +/- 12 mmHg) (p < 0.03). Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) was also higher in group I than in group II (6.9 +/- 3.6 and 4.0 +/- 3.0 Woods units, respectively; p < 0.02). Right ventricular function, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), heart rate, mitral valve area, transmitral mean gradient, Wilkin's valve score and incidence of atrial fibrillation were similar in both groups. After BMV, the CO was 4.1 +/- 0.8 and 4.8 +/- 0.8 1/min (p < 0.005) in groups I and II, respectively. Likewise, there was similar inter-group increase in valve area and a decrease in mean gradient. The PAMP was reduced in both groups compared to pre-BMV, but remained higher in group I than in group II (35 +/- 17 and 21 +/- 9 mmHg, respectively; p < 0.05). PVR was decreased in group II and remained higher in group I (2.8 +/- 1.8 and 6.1 +/- 2.6 Woods units, respectively; p < 0.05). The magnitude of iatrogenic interatrial shunt was similar in both groups. Following BMV, a >50% fall in PVR was predictive of an increase in CO by 15% (OR 5.7, 95% CI 3.1-7.8)., Conclusion: Patients with a post-BMV increase in CO had a lower pre-procedure PAMP and PVR. In group I, a high PVR ('second stenosis') did not fall after BMV. In spite of an apparent overall improvement in hemodynamics, there was a suboptimal rise in CO. PAMP, despite a significant fall, remained higher than normal. The pulmonary hemodynamics were seen to influence changes in CO after BMV, despite similar changes in valve area and mean gradients, with similar Wilkin's scores and right ventricular function between the two groups. A fall of >50% in PVR is predictive of a post-BMV increase in CO.

The objectives of this study were (1) to identify clinical and transthoracic echocardiographic features of patients with mitral stenosis who have thrombus recognized on transesophageal echocardiography, and (2) to define a clinical and echocardiographic model to predict the presence of left atrial thrombus in these patients.