Actuarial analysis of reoperation in patients undergoing open mitral commissurotomy for mitral stenosis

Reoperation is one of the most seriously problematical events in postoperative follow-up of patients undergoing open mitral commissurotomy (OMC) for mitral stenosis. In 217 patients with pure mitral stenosis, even when associated with severe subvalvular changes, the actuarial rate of freedom from reoperation was 94% 12 years after OMC. In contrast, in 85 patients with MS combined with regurgitation, the rate was 66%. In postoperative management of patients undergoing OMC, it is mandatory to know preoperative anatomical findings of the stenosed mitral valve.