Echocardiographic analysis of 266 patients with mitral valve disease: Results and interventional implications

RESUMO

Two hundred and sixty six patients (157 females and 109 males) aged nine to 58 years (mean 29 years); with mitral valve disease of various aetiologies underwent clinical electrocardiographic; roentgenographic and detailed 2-D-colour-doppler echocardiographic evaluations. They were seen between June; 1993 and June; 1995 within an on-going mitral valve analysis project conducted in three major hosptials in Nairobi. As expected in this environment; majority (77 per cent ) of the valve lesions were of rheumatic aetiology; and of severe grades (41-48 per cent). Majority of patients with mitral stenosis were found to suitable for either mitral valvotomy (by baloon catheter or surgery) or mitral valve repair (72.3 per cent); the rest; 27.7 per cent; requiring mitral valve replacement. Nearly 42 per cent of mitral stenosis patients were suitalbe for percutaneous mitral baloon valvotomy. Mitral valve repair was found possible in 56.3 per cent of patients with predominant mitral regurgitation; while only 36.5 per cent were suitable for valve repair in those with mixed regurgitaion and stenosis. With the developments in echocardiography; inteventional catheterisation and valve repair techniques; many options for intervention are now available ot patients suffering from mitral valve disease