title: Long-Term outcome of mitral balloon valvotomy in pregnant women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study aim was to examine the long-term outcome (nine years) of mitral balloon valvotomy in pregnant patients with severe mitral stenosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three patients with severe, symptomatic (NYHA class III/IV) mitral stenosis underwent mitral balloon valvotomy using an Inoue balloon technique during the second trimester of their pregnancy; mean follow up in 19 patients was 5.1 +/- 2.8 years (range: 1 to 9 years).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The procedure was successful in all patients. Immediately after valvotomy, the Doppler-derived mitral valve area increased from 0.90 +/- 0.18 to 1.97 +/- 0.36 cm2 (p <0.0001), and the transmitral mean gradient decreased from 15.7 +/- 4.7 to 5.5 +/- 1.6 mmHg (p <0.0001). Four patients had mild worsening of mitral regurgitation, and six developed insignificant interatrial communication immediately after valvotomy. There was no other morbidity or mortality. Patients showed a significant improvement in mean NYHA class, from 3.0 +/- 0.1 to 1.0 +/- 0.02 (p <0.001). Twenty-two patients had normal deliveries; one cesarean section in week 36 resulted in stillbirth. No developmental abnormalities were seen in the babies. At long-term follow up of mothers, the mitral valve area was 1.8 +/- 0.52 cm2; restenosis developed in three patients (16%). One baby died at one week from sudden infant death syndrome, and one at eight months, from pneumonia. All other children showed normal growth, development and speech for their age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mitral balloon valvotomy using the Inoue balloon technique can provide satisfactory immediate relief and long-term outcome in pregnant patients with severe mitral stenosis.
authors: Department of Cardiovascular Diseases and Basic Sciences, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors: M E
authors: ME
authors: Fawzy
authors: A J
authors: AJ
authors: Kinsara
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Stefadouros
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Hegazy
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Kattan
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Chaudhary
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Williams
authors: Z
authors: Z
authors: Al Halees
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002404:Catheterization; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008946:Mitral Valve Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013995:Time; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography