Comparison of th immediate and intermediate term results of percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty [inoue single - balloon versus double - balloon technique]

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to compare between the immediate-and intermediate- term results of two modalities of balloon dilatation [the Inoue single-balloon and the double-balloon techniques]. Fifty patients with significant rheumatic mitral stenosis [MS] were enrolled in this study from 1993 to 1996. They were randomly chosen and assigned to either one of the two treatment modalities. Both groups were statistically comparable and identical as regards the clinical examination, ECG, chest X-ray, color Doppler echocardiography and invasive hemodynamic data. After dilatation, the patients were followed up immediately, three and >/ six months later by clinical and echo-Doppler evaluation. An invasive hemodynamic study was also done immediately post-dilatation. Both techniques gave a highly significant improvement in the hemodynamics of both patient groups. They equally improved the mitral valve area [MVA] and the functional status of the patients, which was maintained during the follow-up period