[Behavior of various indices of respiratory function in the course of mitral valve disease]

Respiratory function tests carried out on 98 patients with mitral valve disease are reported. The indices were correlated with the N.Y.H.A. classification and mean pulmonary artery pressure values. The patterns were similar for both types of correlation. There were early VC, RV and RV/TLC alterations. In more advanced cases, there were also reductions in DLCO, MEVS, and FEF25-75%. The result is a primarily restrictive dysventilatory picture that is clinically compatible with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis.