Reflections on some structural and functional changes after closed mitral commissurotomy for rheumatic mitral stenosis

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to assess some structural and functional changes after closed mitral commissurotomy in 50 patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis. It was found that after dilatation of the mitral valve the mobility of the valve improved, the mitral valve area increased but there was an insignificant decrease in the size of the left atrium as well as an insignificant increase in the size of the left ventricle. On the other hand, there was an associated improvement in the backward failure in terms of reduction in the pulmonary congestion and pulmonary precapillary pressure as well as a correction of the foreward failure in terms of an increase in the cardiac output