Modern management of mitral stenosis.

Although once rheumatic fever and its consequences were the major cause of valvular heart disease in the developed world, this disease has become exceedingly rare today. As a consequence, mitral stenosis (MS), which is usually caused by rheumatic fever, has also become rare. In fact, MS is most commonly found in the United States in patients who have emigrated here from areas where rheumatic fever is still endemic. Nonetheless, 1500 balloon mitral valvotomies (BMVs) were performed in the United States last year, which provides a rough index of severe disease prevalence. The following is a review of the current understanding and management of this disease.