title: Mitral valvuloplasty.
abstract: Mitral valvuloplasty is associated with low operative mortality, preservation of ventricular function, reduced valve-related complications, decreased requirement for anticoagulation therapy, improved long-term survival, and decreased cost. It should be undertaken after careful consideration of the individual patient's pathophysiology and pathoanatomy, including a thorough clinical and echocardiographic evaluation. In these selected cases, an excellent surgical result can be obtained with valve repair, eliminating the risks associated with prosthetic mitral valve replacement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Cosgrove
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D006801:Humans; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000628:therapy*; D008945:Mitral Valve Prolapse / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*