Cardiodynamic Effects of Mitral Commissurotomy

Abstract

During commissurotomy for stenosis of the mitral valve, it has been possible to record the moment to moment changes in left auricular and pulmonary arterial pressures, using an electronic manometer system. The left auricular pulse patterns have varied depending on the degree of stenosis and the presence or absence of auricular fibrillation or unsuspected regurgitation. The degree of success attending operative intervention on the mitral valve has been predictable by a study of the postcommissurotomy tracings.