[Evaluation of the functional aerobic capacity in mitral prostheses. Preliminary report]

Based on the results of an ergometric stress testing performed in 22 patients with mitral replacement, the author concludes that this method is a highly reproductive and safe to evaluate the functional improvement of patients undergoing a mitral replacement. The results are similar for Bjork-Shiley (11 patients) and Starr-Edwards prothesis (11 patients), slurring that the only parameter that can affect functional results can be a controlled rehabilitation program.