The Hemodynamics of the Left Side of the Heart as Studied by Simultaneous Left Atrial, Left Ventricular, and Aortic Pressures; Particular Reference to Mitral Stenosis

At operation the hemodynamics of the left side of the heart were studied in six patients without mitral stenosis, and in eight patients with mitral stenosis, by means of simultaneous needle puncture of the left atrium, left ventricle, and aorta. This technic permits analysis of the various phases of the cardiac cycle in normal subjects and in patients with mitral stenosis. The fundamental hemodynamic expression of mitral stenosis is the presence of an elevated left atrioventricular filling pressure sure gradient, which ranged from 4 to 20 mm. Hg, and after valvulotomy fell in relation to the adequacy of the procedure.