Immediate and long-term results of percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy in asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic patients with severe mitral stenosis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and value of percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy (PMBV) in asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic patients with severe mitral stenosis (MS). There are very limited data supporting the concept of PMBV in asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic patients with severe MS. We analyzed the results of 539 consecutive patients with severe MS who underwent PMBV at our hospital. Patients were divided according to their symptoms at the time of PMBV into group A (55 patients), who had few or no symptom (NYHA class 1 or 2), and group B (484 patients), who had severe symptom (NYHA class 3 or 4). Patients had clinical and echocardiographic follow-up for 0.5-15 years. There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics between the two groups. The immediate mitral valve area (MVA) was equal in both groups. The follow-up MVA was larger in group A (1.9 +/- 0.38 vs. 1.7 +/- 0.4 cm(2); P = 0.002), and restenosis occurred in 11% in group A vs. 23% in group B (P = 0.023). Actuarial freedoms from restenosis at 5, 10, and 13 years were significantly higher for group A than for group B (97% +/- 2%, 77% +/- 9%, 77% +/- 9% vs. 85% +/- 1%, 62% +/- 3%, 39% +/- 5%; P = 0.0018). Atrial fibrillation at follow-up was encountered in 11% in group A vs. 20% in group B (P = 0.042). There was a significant reduction of the left atrial size in both groups. Event-free survivals at 5, 10, and 13 years were higher for group A than for group B (97% +/- 2%, 80% +/- 9%, 80% +/- 9% vs. 86% +/- 1%, 65% +/- 3%, 42% +/- 3%; P = 0.0018). This study demonstrated excellent immediate results of PMBV in asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic patients with severe MS and long-term results are better compared to the reported natural history of such patients. We recommend mitral balloon valvotomy (MBV) for patients with severe MS with few or no symptoms, provided the valve morphology is suitable for MBV. (c) 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.