Two-dimensional echocardiographic assessment of mitral stenosis

A real-time, phased-array, two-dimensional echocardiography system was used to assess mitral valve motion in 30 catheterized patients with pure mitral stenosis. Suitable images for analysis of mitral valve motion were obtained in 25 patients. The valve leaflets were most thickened and immobile at the leaflet tips while maximum mobility was at the leaflet body. Diastolic movement of anterior mitral leaflet toward the septum pulled the posterior mitral leaflet mid-portion inferiorly. Systolic bulging of the mid-portion of the anterior mitral leaflet into the left atrium was seen in 40% (10 of 25). Movement of the anterior mitral leaflet in diastole is primarily due to movement of the whole mitral apparatus in patients with mitral stenosis. The anterior mitral leaflet E to F slopes did not correlate (r=0.38) with the mitral valve area determined at catheterization. Planimetry of the mitral valve area directly from the videotape images compared favorably to the valve area determined at catheterization (r=0.95). Thus, mitral valve area determined by this technique is an accurate noninvasive method for assessing the severity of mitral stenosis.¿