A Clinical Study of 1,000 Consecutive Cases of Mitral Stenosis Two to Nine Years after Mitral Valvuloplasty

A study is presented of 1,000 cases of predominant mitral stenosis operated by valvuloplasty between 1949 and 1956. It is shown that the survival of these patients is better than would have been expected under medical management. Sixty-nine per cent of the survivors of the operation in groups II and III improved, and 55 per cent in group IV. Factors influencing the late results are discussed. After substantial improvement lasting a year or more, 228 of this series deteriorated; the factors affecting this deterioration are discussed, of which mitral insufficiency, an inadequate valvuloplasty, and recurrent rheumatic fever are the most striking.