Restenosis of the mitral valve: surgical considerations and results of operation

Our experience over an eight-year period with 63 consecutive patients with mitral restenosis who underwent operation forms the basis for this report. Striking clinical disability was a notable finding. A majority of the patients were less than 30 years old. Embolic phenomena were rare. Closed transventricular valvotomy offers excellent low-risk palliation and good long-term results. Follow-up showed excellent or good results in 90.5% of the patients and poor results in 9.5%. Hemodynamic study of 6 patients demonstrated a pronounced decrease in the pulmonary artery pressure. Open valvotomy was performed in 6 subjects. The presence of intracardiac calcification together with mild mitral incompetence in 2 patients made valve replacement mandatory. The problem of restenosis of the mitral valve is complex, and only after further long-term results are available will the superiority of any one method be demonstrated.