Mitral Stenosis

DEVELOPMENT of successful surgical techniques for the relief of mitral stenosis* has made necessary the careful evaluation of patients who might benefit from mitral surgery. Numerous papers have appeared in the literature which describe the indications for surgical intervention and various methods which may be used to establish the presence of relatively "pure" mitral stenosis.† As a result of our experience with approximately 500 patients subjected to mitral commissurotomy, we have come to rely most heavily upon a detailed and complete history and a thorough physical examination, with emphasis on careful cardiac scrutiny. In addition, we have found the following helpful: fluoroscopic and orthocardiographic studies employing barium as a contrast medium (posteroanterior view and both oblique views); the standard 12-lead electrocardiogram; usual laboratory studies, such as differential blood cell count, urinalysis, and sedimentation rate, and other procedures specifically indicated. This study is a clinical analysis of 67 consecutive patients who