[Heart function in patients with mitral defect immediately after the insertion of a mitral valve prosthesis]

Changes in left and right ventricular function were examined in 42 patients before and early after the application of mitral valve prosthesis (MVP). Hemodynamic suppression observed early after MVP application was found to be due to reduced preload, and critical inhibition of contractility in 1/3 of the patients. Baseline left-ventricular contractility and pumping function parameters were decreased to a greater degree in patients constituting Group 2. It is suggested that early postoperative circulatory disorders are rooted in preoperative myocardial lesions, inadequate heart muscle protection during extracorporeal circulation with general hypothermy, and violation of conditions of left-ventricular loading immediately upon the recovery of the mitral valve blocking function.