[Clinico-functional correlations of left atrial myocardial excursions in patients with mitral valve defects]

The pre- and intraoperative drug maintenance was evaluated in 50 patients with mitral valvular disease and compared with the types of left atrial myocardial excursions. The maintenance with cardiac glycosides and diuretics was greatly different in 3 groups of patients with various types of left atrial myocardial excursions. In patients with Type I excursions the maintenance was minimal, in those with Type III excursions it was maximal, those with Type II excursions, it was intermediate. It is concluded that the functional characteristics of left atrial myocardial excursions may be used as an indicator of cardiac performance.