MITRAL OR AORTIC COMMISSUROTOMY—Criteria for Selection of Patients

In the selection of patients for mitral commissurotomy, five separate categories are to be considered: (1) true mitral block with small heart and high pulmonary artery pressure, (2) mitral stenosis without mitral block, (3) mitral stenosis with subacute carditis, (4) mitral stenosis with marked cardiac hypertrophy, and (5) mitral stenosis with embolism.Surgical results are good to excellent provided adequate preoperative evaluation has eliminated the groups with subacute carditis, and those without mitral block. Cardiac catheterization is a valuable adjunct in difficult problems.     

The Diagnosis of Mitral Stenosis

The diagnosis of classical mitral stenosis is easy, but many pitfalls lead to over-diagnosis or under-diagnosis. These have been considered in detail and variations in symptoms and signs have been illustrated by case histories. Such variations include: (1) Embolism producing the Leriche syndrome; (2) mitral stenosis with insignificant hemodynamic effect; (3) myxoma masquerading as mitral stenosis; (4) mitral stenosis without apical murmurs, and (5) mitral stenosis with a systolic murmur predominant or alone. In cases of combined mitral and aortic stenosis, the history, radiographic configuration, and incidence of hemoptysis, edema, bronchitis, embolism and atrial fibrillation resemble such findings in cases of isolated mitral stenosis, but the auscultatory signs of the latter may be obscured. The degree of aortic stenosis is difficult to determine in cases of combined stenosis. In the diagnosis of re-stenosis the condition of the valve at the first commissurotomy, the precise procedure performed and the degree of regurgitation produced are of prime importance. Congenital mitral stenosis is rare and is associated with a high incidence of other defects.     

Cardiac hemolytic anemia resolving after second mitral annuloplasty.

Following an episode of rheumatic carditis, severe mitral incompetence developed in a 9-year-old girl. A mitral annuloplasty succeeded for a short time in ameliorating her symptoms of cardiac failure. However, mitral incompetence recurred and was accompanied by severe anemia and hemosiderinuria. Distortion of erythrocytes was evident on a peripheral blood smear. A second mitral annuloplasty resulted in resolution of the hemolytic anemia.     

Ventriculo-atrial gradient due to first degree atrio-ventricular block: a case report

Background

Isolated, asymptomatic first degree AV block with narrow QRS has not prognostic significance and is not usually treated with pacemaker implantation. In some cases, yet, loss of AV synchrony because of a marked prolongation of the PR interval may cause important hemodynamic alterations, with subsequent symptoms of heart failure. Indeed, AV synchrony is crucial when atrial systole, the "atrial kick", contributes in a major way to left ventricular filling, as in case of reduced left ventricular compliance because of aging or concomitant structural heart disease.

Case presentation

We performed a trans-septal left atrium catheterization aimed at evaluating the entity of a mitral valve stenosis in a 72-year-old woman with a marked first-degree AV block, a known moderate aortic stenosis and NYHA class III symptoms of functional deterioration. We occurred in a deep alteration in cardiac hemodynamics consisting in an end-diastolic ventriculo-atrial gradient without any evidence of mitral stenosis. The patient had a substantial improvement in echocardiographic parameters and in her symptoms of heart failure after permanent pacemaker implantation with physiological AV delay.

Conclusion

We conclude that if a marked first degree AV block is associated to instrumental signs or symptoms of heart failure, the restoration of an optimal AV synchrony, achieved with dual-chamber pacing, may represent a reasonable therapeutic option leading to a consequent clinical improvement.     

Mitral stenosis with posterior diastolic movement of posterior leaflet.

The echocardiographic diagnosis of mitral stenosis depends in part on the demonstration of abnormal posterior leaflet movement to distinguish it from other conditions that similarly affect anterior leaflet motion. In mitral stenosis the posterior leaflet has been shown to move anteriorly in diastole rather than in the normal posterior direction. A patient presented with clinical evidence of moderate mitral stenosis. The anterior leaflet echo was typical but the posterior leaflet showed posterior diastolic movement. At catheterization moderate mitral stenosis was confirmed. To our knowledge this is the first report of the echocardiographic demonstration of posterior diastolic movement of the posterior mitral leaflet in documented mitral stenosis.     

Noninvasive assessment of the stenotic mitral valve orifice by two-dimensional echocardiography

Two-dimensional echocardiographic imaging of the mitral valve orifice was attempted in 26 patients with isolated mitral stenosis. The intention was to examine further the clinical usefulness and limitations of this technique for estimating the severity of mitral stenosis. Technically adequate recordings of the mitral orifice were obtained in 20 patients (77%). Mitral valve area calculated from echocardiography compared favorably to the valve area derived from cardiac catheterization with the use of the Gorlin formula (r = 0.95). The average difference between the two methods was 0.109 cm(2). Two-dimensional echocardiography does provide clinically useful data for predicting the degree of mitral stenosis in the majority of patients provided that critical technical limitations are recognized.     

Le dosage des séromuco?des dans la cardite rhumatismale: (Etude de 120 cas)

Seromucoid values were determined in 120 patients with rheumatic carditis, aged 5 to 20 years, who were in the acute, subacute or chronic phase of the disease. The following results were obtained: (1) Seromucoid values were elevated in all 32 of the acute cases and remained above normal as long as rheumatic activity was present. (2) Seromucoid values were unaffected by cortisone therapy, unlike the sedimentation rate and the level of C-reactive protein. (3) Greater values for seromucoid were found in severe cases.This study suggests that seromucoid determination is a useful method for following rheumatic activity and may be of value in assessing the severity of the disease.     

Left heart catheterization; the clinical importance of findings

Left heart catheterization using the transbronchial route to obtain pressures in the left atrium and left ventricle was used successfully in 29 cases with no mortality or morbidity. It was found to be useful in differentiating between mitral stenosis and mitral insufficiency, as well as determining the amount of aortic stenosis present when there was involvement of the aortic valve. The technique was also helpful in determining which is the predominant lesion when there is a disease of the aortic and mitral valves. In two patients in a series of 29, data obtained by left heart catheterization forestalled operation on the basis of a mistaken diagnosis of mitral stenosis when actually no mitral valvular disease was present. In another eight patients, the predominant lesion was found to be mitral stenosis rather than mitral insufficiency as it was thought to be before catheterization. In two patients, who had only systolic murmurs, catheterization revealed mitral stenosis rather than mitral insufficiency. In four patients who were thought to have mixed valvular disease, left heart catheterization showed only aortic valvular disease.     

LEFT HEART CATHETERIZATION—The Clinical Importance of Findings

Left heart catheterization using the transbronchial route to obtain pressures in the left atrium and left ventricle was used successfully in 29 cases with no mortality or morbidity. It was found to be useful in differentiating between mitral stenosis and mitral insufficiency, as well as determining the amount of aortic stenosis present when there was involvement of the aortic valve. The technique was also helpful in determining which is the predominant lesion when there is a disease of the aortic and mitral valves.In two patients in a series of 29, data obtained by left heart catheterization forestalled operation on the basis of a mistaken diagnosis of mitral stenosis when actually no mitral valvular disease was present. In another eight patients, the predominant lesion was found to be mitral stenosis rather than mitral insufficiency as it was thought to be before catheterization. In two patients, who had only systolic murmurs, catheterization revealed mitral stenosis rather than mitral insufficiency. In four patients who were thought to have mixed valvular disease, left heart catheterization showed only aortic valvular disease.     

Valvular heart disease; the role of cardiac catheterization in preoperative evaluation

Cardiac catheterization studies performed in research laboratories showed that advanced mitral stenosis is associated with a characteristic dynamic pattern which is reversible by mitral valvulotomy. In the process of the selection of patients for mitral valvulotomy, occasionally there are instances in which a decision cannot be reached on the basis of ordinary clinical methods of examination. In some such cases cardiac catheterization may be of decisive value by demonstrating, or by failing to demonstrate, the dynamic pattern of mitral stenosis. Cases in which this diagnostic procedure is most often helpful are those of mild mitral stenosis and those in which there are combined valvular defects.     

Life-saving PTMC for critical calcific mitral stenosis in cardiogenic shock with balloon impasse

A 32-year-old male patient, a case of critical calcific mitral stenosis (following closed mitral valvotomy in 1989) was admitted for mitral valve replacement in September 2001. In hospital, he developed cardiogenic shock, pulmonary oedema and oliguria precluding surgery. An emergency percutaneous transatrial balloon mitral commissurotomy as a life-saving procedure in a valve with unfavourable morphology and 'balloon impasse' is discussed.     

Modeling mitral valve stenosis: A parametric study on the stenosis severity level

New computational techniques providing more accurate representation of human heart pathologies could help uncovering relevant physical phenomena and improve the outcome of medical therapies. In this framework, the present work describes an efficient computational model for the evaluation of the ventricular flow alteration in presence of mitral valve stenosis. The model is based on the direct numerical simulation of the Navier–Stokes equations two-way coupled with a structural solver for the left ventricle and mitral valve dynamics. The presence of mitral valve stenosis is mimicked by a single-parameter constraint acting on the kinematics of the mitral leaflets.Four different degrees of mitral valve stenosis are considered focusing on the hemodynamic alterations occurring in pathologic conditions. The mitral jet, generated during diastole, is seen to shrink and strengthen when the stenosis gets more severe. As a consequence, the kinetic energy of the flow, the tissues shear stresses, the transvalvular pressure drop and mitral regurgitation increase. It results that, as the stenosis severity level increases, the geometric and effective orifice areas decrease up to 50% with respect the normal case due to the reduced leaflets mobility and stronger blood acceleration during the diastolic phase. The modified intraventricular hemodynamics is also related to a stronger pressure gradient that, for severe stenosis, can be more than ten times larger than the healthy valve case. These computational results are fully consistent with the available clinical literature and open the way to the virtual assessment of surgical procedures and to the evaluation of prosthetic devices.     

123例二尖瓣狭窄患者经皮二尖瓣球囊扩张术治疗的疗效分析

目的：探讨经皮二尖瓣球囊扩张术（PBMv）治疗二尖瓣狭窄（Ms）的效果。方法：123例患者采用经皮经房间隔穿刺球囊扩张治疗二尖瓣狭窄。手术前后分别记录左心房压（LAP）、二尖瓣跨瓣压差（MPG）,二尖瓣口面积（MVA）,并进行术后1年随防。结果：术后即刻患者左心房压、二尖瓣跨瓣压差下降,二尖瓣口面积增加,术后1年,患者二尖瓣跨瓣压差、二尖瓣口面积与术后即刻对比无明显变化,患者心功能和生活质量明显改善。结论：经皮二尖瓣球囊扩张术能明显改善风心病二尖瓣狭窄患者心功能。     

Indication and timing of percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy and the role of atrial fibrillation

Percutaneous transvenous mitral balloon valvotomy (PTMV) has been proven to be an effective and safe method for treatment of patients with severe mitral valve stenosis. This technique has become an accepted alternative for surgical commissurotomy, not only in young patients with pliable valves, but also in selected older patients with extensive valvular pathology. This review highlights the significance of coexisting atrial fibrillation, patient selection and timing of PTMV in patients with mitral valve stenosis.     

MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE AND CONGENITAL PYLORIC STENOSIS IN IDENTICAL TWINS

Both congenital pyloric stenosis and the mitral valve prolapse syndrome are reported to have a familial incidence. Although mitral valve prolapse has been documented in twins, only one case has received echocardiographic confirmation. The present account describes typical symptomatic mitral valve prolapse in identical twins, both of whom had undergone surgery during infancy to correct congenital pyloric stenosis.     

A fatal free floating thrombus in left atrium

An 81 year old woman, diagnosed with rheumatic mitral valve disease and atrial fibrillation ten years previous, was admitted due to a right carotid transient ischemic attack and a acute coronary syndrome. No ST elevation was noted in the region supplied by the anterior descending artery coronary (troponin T increased and anterolateral negative waves T). In recent years years, she had maintained with (anticoagulants) an INR of 2.5-3.5; however, in the previous month the INR had dropped to 1.8. The transthoracic echocardiography showed an anterolateral hypokinesis and a globular hyperechoic mass of 2 x 4 cm which appeared to be a free floating thrombus in the dilated left atrium. This occasionally caused occlusion of the mitral valve, which itself had a severe rheumatic stenosis of approximately 1 cm2. Due to the high risk of occlusion of the mitral valve and systemic embolisms, the mitral valve replacement and thrombectomy was recommend to the patient. The patient refused this treatment and subsequently died 5 days later. This case emphasizes the importance of a suitable level of anticoagulation (INR between 2,5 and 3,5) in patients with mitral stenosis and chronic atrial fibrillation. These cases have a the high risk of thromboembolism, and urgent surgery is mandatory when a free floating left atrial thrombus is observed.     

THE SURGICAL TREATMENT OF MITRAL STENOSIS

A surgical procedure known as commissurotomy, devised by Bailey for the relief of certain cases of mitral stenosis, gives promise of considerable benefit to a large number of patients who have the disease. The technique of the operation involves the introduction of the right index finger and an especially designed valvulotome through the left auricular appendage into the left auricle. The mitral valve commissures are then divided. Twentyfive cases of mitral stenosis in which this operation was performed are discussed.     

Interventional radiology in congenital and acquired cardiovascular diseases

The paper outlines the present-day achievements in interventional radiology in cardiovascular diseases: balloon valvuloplasty in cardiac diseases (isolated pulmonary arterial stenosis, aortic and mitral stenosis), balloon vasodilatation (peripheral pulmonary arterial stenosis, aortic coarctation), embolization of the vessels and pathological communications, atrioseptostomy, transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects.     

Pregnancy in women with prosthetic heart valves

Pregnancy in women with mechanical valve prostheses has a high maternal complication rate including valve thrombosis and death. Coumarin derivatives are relatively safe for the mother with a lower incidence of valve thrombosis than un-fractionated and low-molecular-weight heparin, but carry the risk of embryopathy, which is probably dose-dependent. The different anticoagulation regimens are discussed in this review. When valve thrombosis occurs during pregnancy, thrombolysis is the preferable therapeutic option. Bioprostheses have a more favourable pregnancy outcome than mechanical prostheses but due to the high re-operation rate in young women they do not constitute the ideal alternative. When women with native valve stenosis need pre-pregnancy intervention, mitral balloon valvuloplasty is the best option in mitral stenosis, while the Ross operation or homograft implantation may be the preferable surgical regimen in aortic stenosis. (Neth Heart J 2008;16:406-11.)