Fate of tricuspid regurgitation after closed valvotomy for mitral stenosis

Rheumatic mitral valve disease is not infrequently associated with tricuspid regurgitation (TR). To determine the fate of TR following closed mitral valvotomy (CMV), we examined the records of 23 patients with variable degrees of TR and significant mitral stenosis (MS). Based on angiocardiographic assessment of TR, patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (15 patients) had mild-to-moderate TR, while group 2 (eight patients) had severe TR. After valvotomy, dyspnea lessened in all patients. Right ventricular (RV) failure signs (jugular venous distension and hepatomegaly) and the amounts of diuretics used diminished in 12 of 15 patients in group 1. Group 2 patients showed insignificant improvement at one-year follow-up period. Cardiac recatheterization was performed in four of group 2 patients three to five years later primarily for persistence of RV failure signs. The mitral valve areas varied from 1.4 to 2.7 cm2. There was mild mitral regurgitation in two patients. There was no deterioration of the left ventricular ejection fraction, but TR was at least moderate in all cases.