[Late results of mitral commissurotomies]

The late results of 1,205 operations for mitral commissurotomy were studied. The investigation embraced 88.3% of patients discharged from the clinic after surgery. The follow-up period was 8 years and 9 months on average. The late postoperative result was good in 47%, satisfactory in 26.4%, and poor in 16.4% of patients. Late mortality was 10.2%; 75% of patients were alive 15 years after the operation. The effect of the stage of the disease, the volume of the reverse blood flow on the mitral valve and the presence and extent of its calcification on the late results of the operation was studied. Longterm follow-up testifies to the high efficacy of closed mitral commissurotomy.