Posterior mitral leaflet motion in mitral stenosis.

A reduced rate of diastolic closure of the anterior mitral leaflet has been shown to occur in mitral stenosis, primary pulmonary hypertension, and in cases with reduced left ventricular compliance. Posterior notion of the posterior mitral leaflet in diastole has been the distinguishing feature to rule out the diagnosis of mitral stenosis. We have analyzed echocardiograms of 167 patients with mitral stenosis and have found 16 cases where the posterior mitral leaflet moved posteriorly, that is, in an opposite direction from the anterior mitral leaflet. Two other features were found that were helpful in establishing the diagnosis of mitral stenosis in these atypical cases, namely, thickening of the mitral leaflets and reduction or absence of the artrial wave.