BACKGROUND Balloon mitral valvotomy (BMV) is a safe and an effective treatment in patients with symptomatic rheumatic mitral stenosis. This study was conducted to validate the importance of assessing the morphology of mitral valve commissures by transoesophageal echocardiography and thereby predicting the outcome after balloon mitral valvotomy [BMV]. MATERIALS AND METHODS Study consisted of 1...

OBJECTIVE To assess the outcome of percutaneous balloon dilatation of the mitral valve in critically ill young patients with intractable heart failure. DESIGN Retrospective analysis of all such patients presenting over a period of 4 years. PATIENTS Of 432 consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous balloon dilatation of the mitral valve, 12 (mean age 29 years) with intractable heart failur...

Three patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis were treated with percutaneous mitral valvotomy. A Brockenbrough catheter was advanced transseptally into the left atrium and then into the left ventricle over a long guide wire. An angle wire loop retriever was advanced through a 10 Fr straight catheter via the femoral artery into the left ventricle. The retriever was used to catch the flexible end...