Long-term echocardiographic evaluation of closed and open mitral valvulotomy.
From 1968 to 1989, 280 patients with post-rheumatic pure mitral stenosis underwent surgical commissurotomy; 134 a closed and 146 an open technique. Follow-up exceeded 15 years in 56.7% of the patients. Echocardiographic analysis was performed in 120 patients and disclosed a larger mitral valve area in patients who underwent open valvulotomy (1.9 +/- 0.5 cm2 vs. 1.5 +/- 0.4 cm2 for the closed technique, P < 0.0002). On the other hand, considering the occurrence of post-surgical mitral regurgitation at a level greater than, or equal to moderate, open valvulotomy produced less favorable results (18.5% vs. 5% for the closed technique, P < 0.01).
Villanova
C
C
Department of Cardiology, University of Padua, Italy.
Melacini
P
P
Scognamiglio
R
R
Scalia
D
D
Campanile
F
F
Fasoli
G
G
Dalla Volta
S
S
D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D008946:Mitral Valve Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors