[Determination of the severity of mitral stenosis by hemodynamic and echocardiographic parameters]

M-Mode and two-dimensional echocardiographic examinations were performed in 70 patients with pure or prevailing mitral stenosis. Mitral valve excursion, mitral valve opening area (MVOAe) and diastolic E-F slope were determined and compared with the gradient across the valve and the opening area obtained during cardiac catheterization. Mitral valve excursion and E-F slope showed mean values of 1.71 cm and 1.98 cm/sec. respectively and were indicative of a stenosed mitral valve. Correlation between E-F slope and gradient with MVOAe was poor. The correlation coefficient was r = +0.56 and r = 0.34 resp. MVOAe compared favorably to the mitral valve area determined at cardiac catheterization (r = + 0.96) and the gradient across the mitral valve (r = 0.90)9 We conclude: 1. Determination of the mitral valve opening area by means of two-dimensional echocardiography represents a valuable addition in the assessment of the severity of mitral stenosis. 2. M Mode echocardiography indicates the presence, but not the severity of mitral stenosis. 3. Computerized planimetry is superior to the manually planimetered opening area and represents a reproducible, exact and time-saving procedure.