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Exercise capacity and skeletal muscle structure and function before and after balloon mitral valvuloplasty
C W Barlow1, J E Long, G Brown
1University Laboratory of Physiology, University of Oxford, United Kingdom.
The American Journal of Cardiology
|October 1, 1995
Summary
Balloon mitral valvuloplasty (BMV) significantly improves exercise capacity and cardiac output in mitral stenosis patients. Late improvements in skeletal muscle structure and function were observed four months post-BMV.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Exercise Physiology
- Skeletal Muscle Biology
Background:
- Mitral stenosis (MS) impairs exercise capacity due to reduced cardiac output.
- Balloon mitral valvuloplasty (BMV) is a treatment option for MS.
- The long-term effects of BMV on skeletal muscle are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of BMV on exercise capacity.
- To assess changes in skeletal muscle structure and function following BMV.
Main Methods:
- 10 subjects with MS underwent BMV.
- Measurements of exercise capacity, cardiac output, and skeletal muscle parameters were taken before, 2 weeks, and 4 months after BMV.
Main Results:
- BMV increased mitral valve area and resting cardiac output.
- Exercise capacity improved significantly at 2 weeks and further at 4 months post-BMV.
- Skeletal muscle showed increased quadriceps size, torque, and type I fiber percentage at 4 months.
Conclusions:
- BMV effectively improves exercise capacity in MS patients.
- Late improvements in skeletal muscle structure and function occur after BMV, correlating with increased physical activity.