Valvuloplastia mitral percutánea con balón: experiencia en el Cardiocentro de Santiago de Cuba / Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty: experiences at the Cardiocentro in Santiago de Cuba

RESUMEN Introducción: La valvuloplastia mitral percutánea con balón actualmente es el primer procedimiento terapéutico que se contempla en el mundo desarrollado para los pacientes con estenosis mitral reumática e indicación para ello, y se realiza en el Cardiocentro de Santiago de Cuba desde julio de 2008. Objetivos: Describir los resultados de la valvuloplastia mitral percutánea con balón en los pacientes estudiados. Método: Se realizó un estudio observacional y descriptivo, unicéntrico, que incluyó a 91 pacientes tratados mediante este procedimiento en el Cardiocentro de Santiago de Cuba, desde julio de 2008 hasta junio de 2019. Se evaluaron variables clínico-epidemiológicas, ecocardiográficas y hemodinámicas, así como el resultado inmediato del procedimiento. Resultados: Predominaron los pacientes jóvenes (60,4% entre 15-44 años), del sexo femenino (86,8%), con antecedentes de fiebre reumática (48,4%), en clase funcional III (64,8%) de la NYHA (New York Heart Association) y en ritmo sinusal (86,8%). Se logró un aumento promedio del área valvular de más del doble (0,99 vs. 2,12 cm2) del valor inicial y una reducción de la presión auricular mayor de 50% (25,0 vs.11, 76 mmHg), lo que permitió evaluar de satisfactorio el tratamiento en el 95,6% de los pacientes. Se identificó una asociación significativa (Prueba de Fisher ≤ 0,05) entre la puntuación de Wilkins ≤ 8 y el resultado satisfactorio del procedimiento. Conclusiones: Los resultados de la aplicación de la valvuloplastia mitral percutánea con balón en el centro fueron satisfactorios y congruentes con los referidos nacional e internacionalmente.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty has flourished as a mainstream therapy (mostly in developed countries) for treating patients with medical indication and those suffering from rheumatic mitral stenosis. This procedure is performed at the Cardiocentro in Santiago de Cuba since July 2008. Objectives: To describe the results of percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty in the study participants. Methods: A descriptive, single-centered and observational study including 91 patients treated by this procedure was conducted at the Cardiocentro in Santiago de Cuba from July 2008 to June 2019. Clinical/epidemiological, echocardiographic and hemodynamic variables were assessed, as well as immediate procedure outcomes. Results: Young individuals (60.4% between 15-44 years), female (86.8%), with a history of rheumatic fever (48.4%), NYHA (New York Heart Association) functional class III (64.8%) and sinus rhythm (86.8%) predominated. An average increase in valve area of over double (0.99 vs. 2.12 cm2) the initial value and a reduction in atrial pressure of more than 50% (25 vs. 11.76 mmHg) was achieved; thus evidencing that the treatment was effective in 95.6% of the patients. A significant association (Fisher Test ≤ 0.05) was identified between Wilkins score ≤ 8 and satisfactory outcome of the procedure. Conclusions: The results of percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty in the medical center were successful and consistent with those achieved nationally and internationally.

Intracardiac ultrasound-guided percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty / Valvuloplastía mitral percutánea guiada por ultrasonido intracardiaco

Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) is a relatively new method of ultrasound images useful during cardiac percutaneous interventional procedures. The first human experience with this method was published in 2000 and, since then, several original trials have enrolled this useful method, proving similar and more useful than transesophageal echocardiography in percutaneous treatment of several congenital cardiopathies, like interatrial communication, permeable oval foramen, mitral stenosis, and atrial fibrillation ablation. In this presentation, we publish a single case report of percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty under ICE guidance.

La ecocardiografía intracardiaca (EIC) es un método relativamente nuevo de imágenes por ultrasonido que utilizamos principalmente durante procedimientos de cateterismo intervencionista. La primera experiencia en seres humanos con este método fue reportada en 2000 y, desde entonces, se han publicado diversos artículos sobre su utilidad como procedimiento de control sustituto de la ecocardiografía transesofágica, en el tratamiento por cateterismo de la comunicación interatrial, comunicación interventricular, foramen oval permeable, estenosis mitral y ablación de fibrilación auricular. En esta ocasión presentamos un caso de estenosis mitral y valvuloplastía percutánea, guiado por EIC.

Valvuloplastía mitral: Comparación de la técnica de doble balón versus técnica de un solo balón "Nucleus" / Mitral valvuloplasty: Comparison of the double balloon versus the single "Nucleus" balloon technique

La estenosis mitral pura requiere de manejo mecánico una vez que su orificio disminuye a valores críticos. Iniciamos la valvuloplastía mitral en 1994 con técnica de doble balón y desde 1996 con un solo balón tipo "Nucleus", presentamos los resultados inmediatos y comparativos entre ambas técnicas. Incluimos 31 pacientes distribuidos en 2 grupos similares: el Grupo A (doble balón) de 15 pacientes, Wilkins promedio de 7.13 ± .80, área valvular mitral prevalvuloplastía de .83 ± .25 cm² y gradiente transvalvular mitral de 17.06 ± 7.6 mmHg; Grupo B (balón Nucleus) de 16 pacientes, Wilkins de 7.6 ± .71, área valvular mitral 1.05 ± .33 cm², gradiente transvalvular de 14.26 ± 5.00 mmHg. Postvalvuloplastía el área valvular aumentó en el Grupo A y en el B respectivamente a 1.99 ± .49 cm² y 2.67 ± .63 cm² (p < .001); el gradiente disminuyó respectivamente a 5.55 ± 2.50 mmHg y 2.95 ± 2.32 mmHg (p < .001). En ambos grupos hubo incremento de insuficiencia mitral en 1 paciente, se documentó cortocircuito interauricular en 1 paciente del Grupo A. La valvuloplastía mitral tiene mejores resultados y es más práctica con el balón Nucleus que con doble balón.

Mitral stenosis requires mechanical management once the area decreases to critical values. We began practicing mitral valvuloplasty in 1994 with the double balloon technique and, since 1996, we have been performing the procedure using a single balloon called "Nucleus". We compare the immediate results of both techniques. We included 31 patients divided in two similar groups: group A (double balloon) of 15 patients, average Wilkins score of 7.13 ± .80, mitral valve area pre-valvuloplasty of .83 ± .25 cm² and transmitral gradient of 17.06 ± 7.6 mmHg; group B (Nucleus balloon) of 16 patients, Wilkins score of 7.6 ± .71, mitral valve area 1.05 ± .33 cm², transvalvular gradient of 14.26 ± 5.00 mmHg. Post-valvuloplasty valvular area increased in group A and group B, respectively, to 1.99 ± .49 cm² and 2.67 ± .63 cm² (p < .001); gradient decreased to 5.55 ± 2.50 mmHg, and 2.95 ± 2.32 mmHg (p < .001). Increase of mitral insufficiency of one grade was present on one patient of each group; one patient of group A had significant interatrial shunt after the procedure. The mitral valvuloplasty yields better results and is more practical when performed with the Nucleus balloon than with the double balloon.

A Case Report of Inoue Balloon Deformity Recognized during Percutaneous Mitral Valvuloplasty

Since the Inoue balloon was first introduced for percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV) in 1984, this procedure has come into widespread use because of its effectiveness, simplicity, and reduced exposure to X-ray radiation. It's the procedure's complications include cardiac tamponade, atrial septal defect, thromboembolism, ventricular perforation, mitral regurgitation, and rarely balloon rupture. We report a case of Inoue balloon deformity during PMV in 62-year old woman with rheumatic mitral stenosis. Echocardiography revealed severe rheumatic mitral stenosis with a valvular area of 0.95 cm2 (by pressure half-time method), and an Echo score of 10 points. The PMV with Inoue balloon 28 mm was performed. We inflated the balloon to 28 mm in diameter first, and to 29 mm second. A bulging deformity with asymmetrical overinflation of one side of both proximal and distal balloon was recognized. A bulging deformity at the proximal part of Inoue balloon after second inflation. Balloon was not ruptured. Following completion of the procedure, the mitral valve area increased to 1.8 cm2. Moderate mitral regurgitation (grade II) was newly developed. This may be the first case of asymmetrical one side inflation and focal bulging deformity reported in Korea.

Transesophageal Echocardiographic Evaluation of Pulmonary Venous Flow before, after and One-year after Percutaneous Mitral Valvulopasty in Patients with Mitral Stenosis in Sinus Rhythm

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the influence of changes in mitral valve area (MVA) and left atrial pressure on pulmonary vein flow (PVF) we analyzed PVF with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) before, after and one-year after percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV) in patients with mitral stenosis (MS) in sinus rhythm. METHODS: PMV was guided with TEE. Follow-up TEE was done about one year after PMV. MVA and transmitral mean gradient (TMG) were measured. Systolic velocity (S), diastolic velocity (D), atrial reversal velocity (AR), their time-velocity integral (S-TVI, D-TVI, AR-TVI) and their ratio (S/D ratio, S-TVI/D-TVI ratio were evaluated. RESULTS: The number of patients was twenty-two (F:20). The age was 39+/-9 years (range:26-64). Follow-up duration was 16+/-6 months (range:7-28). MVA increased from 0.9+/-0.2 cm2 to 1.9+/-0.3 cm2 after PMV and decreased to 1.7+/-0.3 cm2 on follow-up TEE significantly. TMG decreased from 15.4+/-4.3 mmHg to 5.5+/-1.9 mmHg after PMV and was 6.2+/-2.4 mmHg on follow-up. S increased significantly on follow-up at both pulmonary vein (PV). D increased on follow-up at left PV. S/D ratio increased on follow-up at both PV. AR increased on follow-up at both PV. S-TVI increased after PMV at left PV and increased on follow-up at both PV. D-TVI had no change. S-TVI/D-TVI ratio increased on follow-up at left PV. AR-TVI increased on follow-up at right PV. CONCLUSIONS: The main changes after PMV in patients with MS in sinus rhythm were increasing tendency in S, S-TVI, S/D ratio, S-TVI/D-TVI ratio and AR. And these changes were statistically significant on follow-up TEE rather than immediately after PMV.

Follow-Up Assessment after Percutaneous Mitral Valvuloplasty (PMV) with Inoue Balloon

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous Mitral Valvuloplasty (PMV) is the first-line treatment modality in selected patients with symptomatic mitral stenosis and more recently available Inoue single-balloon catheter technique produces good results with low incidence of complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immediate and over 6 months follow-up results after successful PMV with an Inoue balloon and to identify the predictive factors for the results. METHODS: From May 1995 to Feburary 1997, a PMV with an Inoue balloon was tech-nically successful in 114 (95%) of the 119 patients treated at the Sejong General Hostpital. In this study, a series of echocardiographic follow-up were performed in 54 patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis, at least 6 months after their successful PMV. In PMV, the inflation was conducted in steps, starting with a recommended maximum size of balloon by the Inoue criteria. After each inflation, the mitral valve opening and competence were evaluated by Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and continuing increase balloon size. RESULTS: Echocardiographic follow-up assessment was performed in 54 patients serially in a interval of 3 months or 6 months. Their mean age was 46+/-11 years (24 to 66 years) and the mean total echocardiographic score was 7.1+/-1.6. A optimal result was obtained in 95% of the cases (51/54). The post-PMV mitral valve area increased to 1.95+/-0.37 cm 2 and 1.79+/-0.28 cm 2 by 2-D and Doppler method, the average transmitral mean diastolic pressure gradient decreased to 5.16+/-2.8 mmHg and LA pressure was decreased to 11.28+/-8.2 mmHg. The newly developed and aggravated mitral regurgitation was observed in 17 patients (31.5%). The restenosis was noted in 2 cases (3.7%) after 1 year follow-up. The pre-procedural echocardiographic score for leaflet mobility, thickening and calcification was more higher in patients with restenosis. There was significant tendency of decrement in the mitral valve area in patients with a echocardiographic score=8 compared with those< or =8 over 6 months after the PMV. CONCLUSION: PMV with the Inoue balloon under TEE guide as a combined treatment modality of patient with symptomatic mitral stenosis is relatively safe and achieves good immediate and midterm follow-up results. The echocardiographic score is considered as useful predictor of midterm results and restenosis after PMV with Inoue balloon.

The Prediction of Successful Outcome after Percutaneous Mitral Valvuloplasty

BACKGROUND: Several predictor of successful outcome after percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty(PMV) have been identified but the results were controversial. We analyzes the clinical and echocardiographic predictors of successful outcome after PMV. METHOD: We studied 214 patients(167 women and 47 men) undergoing PMV from October 1991 to December 1995. Echocardiographic evaluation was performed before and after PMV. RESULT: The study population had mean age of 41+/-11years, and the total echocardiographic score was 7.5+/-1.5. PMV using Inoue balloon and double balloon technique were performed in 113cases and 101 cases respectively. The successful outcome from PMV(defindedas mitral valve area > or =1.5cm2 and increase in valve area >+25% and less than grade 3 mitral regurgitation(MR)) was achieved in 178 cases(83.2%). The mean mitral valve area was increased from 0.90+/-0.21cm2 to 1.82+/-0.34cm2(p8(0.83+/-0.22cm2, p=grade 3 MR) after PMV was developed in 10 cases(4.7%). In patients with significant MR afterPMV, echocardiographic calcification score were high(2.3+/-0.8 vs. 1.7+/-0.7, p<0.01) and mitral valve area before PMV were smaller(0.82+/-0.10cm2 vs. 0.90+/-0.22cm2, p<0.05) than in those without significant MR. CONCLUSIONS: The predictors of successful outcome after PMV are large mitral valve area and good echocardiographic score. The predictors of significant MR is severe calcified mitral valveand small mitral valve area before PMV.

Left Ventricular Ejection Performance Before and Following Percutaneous Mitral Valvuloplasty in Mitral Stenosis

BACKGROUND: In cases of pure mitral stenosis, it is known that the impairment of left ventricular(LV) ejection performance is frequently accompanied, but long term follow up studies on the LV ejection performance after successful percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty are rare on far. METHODS: An prospective investigation was performed on 32 casas of patients, 10 being male and 22 female, who have beem maintained after successful precutaneous mitral valvuloplasty of pure mitral stenosis. The LV ejection preformances have been measured with cardiomechanography and echocardiography before and following the procedure, and the follow-up periods were 24 months in average, in the range of 12 to 35 months. RESULTS: The stroke volume, cardiac output, cardiac index, ejection fraction, mean velocity of circumferential shortening and fractional shortening(FS), which are indices of LV ejection perfomance, all increased in follow-up than before procedure. In addition, LV end-diastolic dimension and LV end-diastolic dimension index, which are indicis of LV preload, increased, and the end-systolic LV wall stress which is an index of afterload, decreased. And the ratio measured FS to expected FS, which in an index of myocardial contractility, increased in follow-up. CONCLUSION: The successful percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty of pure mitral stenosis is found to improve LV ejection performance in long term by increasing preload, decreasing afterload, and increasing myocardial contractility of left venrticle.

Left Atrial Spontaneous Echo Contrast in Mitral Stenosis: Before and Immediately After Percutaneous Mitral Valvuloplasty

BACKGROUND: Dynamic echoes in the left atrium, spontaneous echo contrast(SEC), represents a marker for thromboembolic risk in patients(pts) with mitral stenosis(MS). The aims of this study were to determine the factors associated with SEC in pts with MS and to observe the immediate effect of percutaneous mitral, valvuloplasty(PMV) on SEC. METHODS: Biplane transesophageal echocardiography(TEE) including Doppler measurement of left atrial appendage flow was performed before and immediately after PMV in 50 pts with MS[32 in normal sinus rhythm(NSR) and 18 in atrial fibrillation(AF)]. Hemodynamic data of left atrial pressure, transmitral pressure gradient, mitral valve area by Gorlin's method(MVA) and cardiac output(CO) by thermodilution method were obtained before and after successful PMV. RESULTS: Before PMV(MVA of 0.9±0.3cm2), SEC was observed in 60%(30/50) of tight MS (13/32 in NSR, 17/18 in AF). The presence of AF(p=0.001), increased left atrial dimension(p=0.001), decreased appendage peak positive velocity(APPV, p=0.03), decreased MVA(p=0.01) and reduced CO(p=0.001) were positive predictive factors for SEC : AF was the most powerful factor among them. In pts with NSR, MVA(p=0.01) was the only factor for SEC before PMV. After successful PMV(MVA of 2.0±0.4cm2) SEC was still observed in 6 pts(12%) with AF. AF(p=0.001), increased left atrial dimension(p=0.06) and decreased APPV(p=0.001) were favorable factors for persistence of SEC after PMV, but hemodynamic indices were not associated with SEC after PMV. New development of mitral regurgitation after PMV was the only predictive factor for disappearance of SEC(p=0.04). In pts with NSR, PMV promptly normalized the APPV with disappearance of SEC. CONCLUSION: In pts with tight MS, different factors may be associated with SEC according to the rhythm. PMV is an effective method to abolish SEC with hemodynamic improvement. Despite the similar MVA and hemodynamic indices, possible preventive effect of thromboembolism after PMV nay be more prominent in pts with NSR compared to those with AF.

Balloon catheter dilatation for mitral stenosis and severe pulmonary hypertension / 介入放射学杂志

75mmHg) underwent PBMV using standard Inoue technique, and the changes in clinical functional status and echo Doppler pulmonary systolic pressure during follow up were assessed. Results PBMV was successful in 39 patients. Immediately after the procedure, mitral valve area increased from (0.83?0.12)cm 2 to (1.75?0.11)cm 2 ,pulmonary systolic pressure decreased from (85?7)mmHg to (61?13)mmHg (all P

Valvoplastia mitral por cateter-baläo em pacientes de alto risco operatório / Percutaneous Mitral Balloon Valvuloplasty in Surgical High Risk Patients

Objetivo - Analisar os reultados da valvoplastia mitral por cateter-baläo (VMCB) em pacientes de alto risco operatório. Métodos - Vinte (12// pacientes dentre 172 comsecutivos submetidos a VMCB foram considerados de alto risco operatório. Dezessete (85//) eram mulheres e a média etária de 43(18-69) anos. Treze (65//) encontravam-se em edema agudo dos pulmöes (3 gestantes, 2 com acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) prévio, 1 com tromboembolismo pulmonar e outro com insuficiência renal crônica) e 7 (35//) em classe funcional (CF) III (2 com insuficiência coronariana crônica, 2 com obesidade maligna, 1 com neoplasia de pulmäo, 1 com caquexia cardíaca e outro com AVC prévio). Realizaram VMCB pela técnica transeptal sendo utilizado duplo baläo em 10(45//), baläo Inoue em 5(25//), monofoíl em 3(15//) e bifoil em 2(10//) pacientes. Resultados - Dezessete (85//) pacientes com sucesso e 2 (10//) com melhora clínica expressiva. Os resultados hemodinâmicos pré x pós-VMCB foram: pressäo de átrio esquerdo (PAE) em mmHg 28,2 ñ 10,0 x 15,2 ñ 9,2 (n = 20) (p < 0,001); gradiente transvalvar mitral médio (G) em mmHg 21,2 ñ 10,7 x 10,7 ñ 6,7 (n = 18) ( , 0,001); área valvar mitral (AVM) em cm² 0,73 ñ 0,6 (n = 11) (p < 0,001); pressäo média de artéria pulmonar em mmHg 52,0 ñ 18,2 x 40,1 ñ 14,7 (n = 18) (p < 0,001); índice cardíaco em L/min/m² 2,1 ñ 0,4 x 2,5 ñ 0,6 (n = 14) (p < 0,001). No ecocardiograma os resultados comparativos pré, pós e após 6 meses da VMCB foram: área valvar mitral (cm²) 1,06 ñ 0,39 x 1,92 ñ 0,51 x 1,65 ñ 0,5 e gradientes transvalvar mitral (mmHg) 13,8 ñ 4,7 x 7,3 ñ 3,6 x 7,3 ñ 4,4. Houve 2 óbitos imediatos (tromboembolismo pulmonar e falência de multiplos órgäos) e 1 extra-hospitalar. As complicaçöes foram: 2(10//) pacientes com complicaçöes neurológicas, 1(5//) com comunicaçäo interatrial e outro com perfuraçäo da átrio direito (5//). Conclusäo - A VMCB oferece alternativa ao tratamento cirurgico em pacientes considerados de alto risco operatório e manutençäo do sucesso em seis meses de seguimento

Purpose - To evaluate percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty (PMBV) in surgical high risk patients. Methods - Twenty (12%) patients out of 172 submitted to a PMBV were considered high surgical risk cases; 17 (85%) were women and mean age was 43 (18- 69). Thirteen (65%) were in acute pulmonary edema (3 were pregnant, 2 had previous cerebrovascular event, 1 had pulmonar thromboembolism and other had chronic renal failure), and 7 (35%) were in functional class (CF) III (2 had coronary artery disease, 2 severe obesity, 1 pulmonar neoplasy, 1 cardiac cachexia and one with previous cerebrovascular event). All patients underwent PMBV through transeptal technique. Double balloon was used in 10 (50%) patients; Inoue balloon in 5 (25%), monofoil in 3 (15%) and bifoil in 2 (10%). Results - Seventeen (85%) obtained success and 2 (10%) had clinical improvement. The hemodinamic results pre versus post-PMBV showed: left atrium pressure (LAP) mmHg 28.2±10,0 x 15.2±9.2 (n=20) (p<0.001), mitral mediam gradient (G) mmHg 21.2±10.7 x 10.7±.7 (n=18)(p<0.001), mitral valve area (MVA) cm2 0.73±0.3 x 1.73±0.6 (n=11) (p<0.001), pulmonary artery pressure mmHg 52.0±18.2 x 40.1±14.7 (n=18) (p<0.001) and cardiac index L/min/m2 2.1±0.4 x 2.5±0.6(n=14) (p<0.001). Comparative echocardiography results pre, post and 6 months after PMBV showed: MVA 1.06±0.39 x 1.92±0.51 x 1.65±0.5 and G 13.8±4.7 x 7.3±3.6 x 7.3±4.4. There were two immediate deaths (pulmonary thromboembolism and multiple organs failure) and other after hospital discharge. The complications were: 2 (10%) patients with neurological complications, 1 (5%) atrial septal deffect and other right atrium perforation (5%). Conclusion - PMBV offers an alternative to surgical treatment in high risk surgical patients and the results are maintained in the 6 month follow-up

Effects of percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty on pulmonary venous flow velocities in patients with mitral stenosis

BACKGROUND: Recent development of transesophageal echocardiography(TEE) makes it possible to record pulmonary venous flow velocities(PVFV) accurately. To observe the differences of PVFV between normal controls and patients with severe mitral stenosis and to clarify the effects of percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty(PMV) on PVFV, TEE was performed in 12 normal controls and 11 patients with severe mitral stenosis. METHODS: PVFV was recorded from left upper pulmonary vein in longitudinal view of midesophageal position with a 5 MHz probe. Peak velocity and velocity-time integral(VTI) of systole and diastole were calculated with a digitizer. TEE was performed before and one day after PMV. Hemodynamic data(left atrial pressure, transmitral diastolic pressure gradient and cardiac output) were analyzed to demonstrate the possible correlation with PVFV. RESULTS: 1) 75%(9/12) of normal controls showed 4 distinct phases of PVFV with 2 systolic forward peaks, I diastolic forward and I end-diastolic backward peak. Peak systolic velocity was 52.6+/-.9cm/sec and peak diastolic forward velocity was 36.0+/-10.3cm/sec : Systolic VTI was greater than diastolic VTI, too(11.1+/-3.6cm vs 5.2+/-.6cm). 2) In patients with tight mitral stenosis(mean mitral area : 0.9cm2), most(10/11, 91%) showed one peak of systolic forward flow : Peak systolic velocity(27.8+/-15.8cm/sec) and systolic velocity-time integral(3.4+/-1.8cm)were significantly smaller than those of normal controls, while there was no statistical difference in peak diastolic forward velocity and velocity-time integral(34.5+/-12.7cm/sec, 4.3+/-1.7cm) compared to normal controls. There were no significant differences according to the rhythm. After successful PMV(mean mitral valve area : 1.9cm2) peak systolic and diastolic velocities increased up to 46.9+/-13.8cm/sec, 41.4+/-7.5cm/sec respectively, and systolic increase was statistically significant. The systolic increase of peak pulmonary venous velocity and velocity-time integral was more prominent in normal sinus group compared to patients with atrial fibrillation. 3) In patients with mitral stenosis, there was no correlation between peak diastolic forward velocity of pulmonary vein and peak transmitral early diastolic velocity(r=-0.19, p=0.40) : There was a weak negative correlation between mean left atrial pressure and peak systolic velocity of pulmonary vein(r=-0.46, p=0.03) in the pooled data of pre- and postvalvuloplasty(N=22). Also there noticed a negative correlation between diastolic transmitral pressure gradient and peak diastolic velocity of pulmonary vein(r=-0.49, p=0.02, N=22). CONCLUSION: Pulmonary venous velocities of patients with tight mitral stenosis showed decreased peak systolic velocity and VTI due to increased left atrial pressure and decreased compliance. which normalized immediately after successful PMV. In patients with mitral stenosis there seems to be somewhat different relationships between hemodynamic indices and pulmonary venous flow velocities, and further study with more patients with variable mitral valve area would be necessary to clarify the exact correlation.

Evaluation of the Left-to-Right Shunt after Percutaneous Mitral Valvuloplasty

BACKGROUND: A left to right shunt through an iatrogenic atrial septal defect(ASD) is known to occur after percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty(PMV), however, its hemodynamic significance as well as methods for the quantitation and follow-up evaluation have not been well established. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: In order to compare the feasibilities of noninvasive diagnostic methods for the detection and quantitation of the left-to-right shunt after PMV. 35 patients(age 37+/-10 years) undertook either radionuclide angiography or transesophageal echocardiography or both within a week after PMV. Qp/Qs was calculated by Fick's oxygen method during cardiac catheterization and by indicator dilution method during radionuclide angiography. The left-to-right shunt was also quantified with transesophageal echocardiography(TEE) by calculating shunt flow rate(Q=2 pir2Vr) using isovelocity surface area. RESULT: TEE was the most sensitive to detect ASD(16 among 27 patients, 59%) compared to either RI angiography(5 among 27 patients, 18%, Qp/Qs>1.5) or cardiac catheterization(4 among 35 patients, 11%, oxygen step-up>7%). Calculated shunt flow rate by TEE showed significant linear correlation to the Qp/Qs by cardiac catheterization(r=0.73, p<0.001). Also there was a significant correlation between Qp/Qs by radionuclide angiography and by cardiac catheterization(r=0.49, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Both radionuclide angiography and TEE appear useful for the detection and quantitation of the left to right shunt after PMV. Since TEE seems to be not only more sensitive to detect the presence of the ASD than either radionuclide angiography or cardiac catheterization but useful to quantify the left-to-right shunt, it appears to be useful method for the follow-up evaluation after PMV.

Left Atrial Appendage Flow in Patients with Tight Mitral Stenosis : Comparison with Normal Control and Effect of Successful Percutaneous Mitral Balloon Valvuloplasty

BACKGROUND: In patients with mitral stenosis(MS) the predilection of the left atrial appendage(LAA) for thrombus formation has been known, while the characteristics and clinical implications of LAA flow have not been clearly analyzed. This prospective study with transesophageal echocardiography(TEE) was done to compare the LAA flow velocities of normal controls and patients with tight MS, to evaluate the correlation between LAA flow and hemodynamic indices and to observe the effects of successful percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty(PMV) on LAA flow. METHODS: TEE was performed in 12 normal controls and 50 patients with tight MS using a 5.0 MHz biplane transducer(Hewlett Packard SONOS 1000). Left atrial spontaneous echo contrast(SEC) was semiquantified(Grade 0-III) according to the relative extent of swirling echo movement in left atrial cavity : Grade I denotes SEC confined to LAA and swirling movement over the half of left atrial cavity was graded as III. In patients with MS. TEE was performed one day before and after PMV.Hemodynamic data(left atrial pressure, transmitral diastolic pressure gradient, cardiac output and mitral valve area) were obtained just before and after PMV. RESULTS: 1) In normal controls LAA flow recording showed two pairs of LAA ejection(positive) and filling(negative) waves. One pair of LAA ejection(appendage peak positive flow ; APF) and filling flow(appendage peak negative flow ; ANF) occurred 143+/-22msec and 289+/-33msec respectively after the onset of the ECG P wave. In early diastole another small pair of LAA ejection(ACF) and filling(ADF) occurred 550+/-21msec and 671+/-50msec respectively after the onset of ECG QRS wave. Mean absolute velocities of APF and ANF were 54+/-21 and 54+/-22cm/sec respectively, which were significantly higher than those of ACF(16+/-6cm/sec) and ADF(16+/-5cm/sec). 2) In patients with tight MS(mitral valve area of 0.9+/-0.3cm2) mean velocities of APF(20+/-12cm/sec) and ANF(23+/-16cm/sec) were significangly decreased compared with normal controls. There was no significant correlation between hemodynamic indices and absolute velocities of LAA flow. SEC was observed in 62%(31/50) and mean velocities of APF(10+/-8cm/sec) and ANF(12+/-11cm/sec) were significantly lower in patients with SEC than those values(25+/-19, 27+/-21cm/sec) in patients without SEC. There was strong negative correlation between the absolute values of APF and ANF and the grade of SEC(rAPF=-0.75, pAPF=0.00 ; rANF=-0.70, pANF=0.00). 3) After successful PMV(mitral valve area of 2.0+/-0.4cm2), APF increased from 20+/-12cm/sec to 36+/-24cm/sec and statistically significant increase of ANF was also observed(23+/-16cm/sec vs 36+/-22cm/sec, p<0.05). In patients with sinus rhythm, PMV normalized LAA flow(APF=52+/-14cm/sec, ANF=51+/-10cm/sec) while still decreased flow velocities were recorded in patients with atrial fibrillation(APF=15+/-4cm/sec, ANF=16+/-6cm/sec). CONCLUSIONS: Recording of LAA flow with TEE is an indicator of LAA function and risk of thrombus formation and cardiogenic embolism, which may not be obtained with conventional hemodynamic indices. Improvement of LAA flow and normalization of flow velocities in patients with sinus rhythm immediately after successful PMV raises a question of role of PMV in prevention of thromboembolism. Randomized sudies of the long-term effects of PMV in MS will be required before this important question can be answered.

Effects of Percutaneous Mitral Valvuloplasty on Right Ventricular Function in Patients with Mitral Stenosis

Mitral stenosis is characterized by chronic pulmonary arterial hypertension. Although it is well recognized that right ventricle can be affected by pressure-overload in patients with mitral stenosis, the study for effects on right ventricular function after relief of pressure overload was difficult after open heart surgery due to paradoxical septal motion and scarring change of pericardium. Recently, percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty(PMV) has been used in patients with mitral stenosis as an alternative to surgical mitral commissurotomy. The present study was designed to demonstrate the difference of right ventricle between normal subjects and patients with mitral stenosis, as well as to investigate the changes of right ventricle before and after PMV with Doppler- echocardiography and isovolumic indices. The results were summarized as follows : 1) Right ventricular emptying fraction which was assumed to be proportional to right ventricular ejection fraction was depressed significantly in patients with mitral stenosis than those of normal subjects. However, there were no sighificant differences in Vpm between the two groups. 2) Right atrial and ventricular areas of patients with mitral stenosis were enlarged significantly than those of normal subjects. Right ventricular diastolic function measured by transtricuspid pulsed Doppler showed relaxation abnormality pattern in patients with mitral stenosis. 3) Enlarged right atrium and ventricular area were decreased significantly after PMV. Depressed right ventricular sytolic and diastolic function were recovered after relief of pressure-overload by PMV. However, there were no significant changes in Vpm after PMV. 4) Right ventricular emptying fraction was inversely correlated with mean pulmonary artery pressure and right ventricular end-diastolic area. Discriminant factor between group with right ventricular diastolic dysfunction and group without diastolic dysfunction was pulmonary vascular resistance. In conclusion, there were right ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction without abnormal right ventricular contractility in patients with mitral stenosis, moderate pulmonary hypertension and normal sinus rhythm, and these functional abnormalities were largery reversible after relief of pressure-overload on the right ventricle by PMV.

Immediate and Follow-up Results after Percutaneous Mitral Valvuloplasty in Mitral Stenosis

Percuaneous mitral valvuloplasty(PMV) is an alternative to surgical mitral commissurotomy for patients with mitral stenosis. To assess the immediate and follow-up results of PMV and to identify factors in fluencing the outcome and coplications of PMV, we analyzed the clinical, echocardiographic and hemodynamic data of 108 patients who underwent PMV. 1) Good hemodynamic results were obtained in 86 patients(79.6%). The factors predicting immediate outcome of PMV were mitral valve mobility, total echoscore, and EBDA/BSA. 2) Predictors of the increase in mitral valve area by PMV were age, sex, rhythm, and NYHA functional class before PMV. The independant predictors were rhythm(p=0.008) and functional class(p=0.002). 3) The degree of mitral regurgitation increased in 26 patients(24%), did not changed in 79 patients(73%) and decreased in 3 patients(3%). The increase of MR could not predicted from any features of the clinical, echocardiographic or hemodynamic daa. The severity of MR decreased by one grade in 15% of patients and did not change in 66% of patients during follow-up. 4) Left-to-right shunt was detected in 19 patients(18%). The predictors were valve mobility, pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance. 5) Follow-up catheterization(mean 14 months) identified restenosis in six of 16 patients. The predictors of restenosis were sex, total echosecore, and left atrial volume. 6) The hemodynamic data at follow-up were good compared with prePMV data(p<0.01), but follow-up miral valve area decreased than that of postPMV(p<0.05). Immediate decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance followed by progressive improvement during follow-up. 7) Immediate complications of PMV were peripheral arterial embolism in one patient(1%), pericardial effusion in two(2%), transient arrhythmia in four(4%), left-to-right shunt in nineteen(18%) and increase in the grade of MR in twenty-six(24%). This study suggests, that PMV produces excellent immediate and follow-up results and is a safe and effective procedure in the nonsurgical treatment of mitral stenosis.

Immediate and Follow-up Results after Percutaneous Mitral Valvuloplasty in Mitral Stenosis

Percuaneous mitral valvuloplasty(PMV) is an alternative to surgical mitral commissurotomy for patients with mitral stenosis. To assess the immediate and follow-up results of PMV and to identify factors in fluencing the outcome and coplications of PMV, we analyzed the clinical, echocardiographic and hemodynamic data of 108 patients who underwent PMV. 1) Good hemodynamic results were obtained in 86 patients(79.6%). The factors predicting immediate outcome of PMV were mitral valve mobility, total echoscore, and EBDA/BSA. 2) Predictors of the increase in mitral valve area by PMV were age, sex, rhythm, and NYHA functional class before PMV. The independant predictors were rhythm(p=0.008) and functional class(p=0.002). 3) The degree of mitral regurgitation increased in 26 patients(24%), did not changed in 79 patients(73%) and decreased in 3 patients(3%). The increase of MR could not predicted from any features of the clinical, echocardiographic or hemodynamic daa. The severity of MR decreased by one grade in 15% of patients and did not change in 66% of patients during follow-up. 4) Left-to-right shunt was detected in 19 patients(18%). The predictors were valve mobility, pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance. 5) Follow-up catheterization(mean 14 months) identified restenosis in six of 16 patients. The predictors of restenosis were sex, total echosecore, and left atrial volume. 6) The hemodynamic data at follow-up were good compared with prePMV data(p<0.01), but follow-up miral valve area decreased than that of postPMV(p<0.05). Immediate decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance followed by progressive improvement during follow-up. 7) Immediate complications of PMV were peripheral arterial embolism in one patient(1%), pericardial effusion in two(2%), transient arrhythmia in four(4%), left-to-right shunt in nineteen(18%) and increase in the grade of MR in twenty-six(24%). This study suggests, that PMV produces excellent immediate and follow-up results and is a safe and effective procedure in the nonsurgical treatment of mitral stenosis.