title: Perinatal mitral valve interventions: a report of 10 cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rheumatic mitral valve stenosis is still an endemic disease in some parts of the world and may complicate pregnancy and perinatal period. During the 10-year period between January 1988 and December 1997, 10 pregnant women with mitral stenosis were operated on.
  
  
  METHODS
  Combined cesarean delivery and closed mitral valvulotomy (CMV) were performed on 6 patients, combined cesarean delivery and Mitral Valve Replacement (MVR) were performed on 1 patient, and 3 patients had CMV during their third trimester.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was 1 stillbirth. All other patients and delivered babies were healthy. MVR was necessary for mitral restenosis in one patient 5 years after her CMV. Three of the remaining patients had some degree of restenosis but did not require reoperation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CMV when indicated during pregnancy can be performed with low risk. For symptomatic patients responding to medical therapy, a combined approach of cesarean section and CMV will prevent possible complications that may arise on perinatal period due to hemodynamic fluctuation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Türkiye Yüksek Ihtisas Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Birincioglu
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Küçüker
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Yapar
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Yildiz
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Ulus
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yamak
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Katircioglu
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tasdemir
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008946:Mitral Valve Stenosis / Q000601:surgery*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000601:surgery*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000601:surgery*