RESUMEN
PURPOSE: To evaluate the late hemodynamic and angiographic results of 52 patients who underwent mitral valvoplasty by the double balloon technique in the treatment of the rheumatic mitral stenosis. METHODS: The mean follow-up was of 18 months and the patients had a Doppler-echocardiogram and cardiac catheterization one year after dilatation. Of the 52 patients 84.6% were female and the mean age was 21.9% years. Eighty one percent were in NYHA class I whereas 5.7% had atrial fibrillation at the end of 18 months. RESULTS: Immediately after valvoplasty 46 patients (88.5%) had a valvar area larger, and 6 (11.5%) smaller than 1.5 cm2. The first group had a good clinical outcome with maintenance of the clinical, echocardiographic and angiographic results in the late follow-up, including the diastolic gradient and the valvar area. Of the 6 cases with mitral area smaller than 1.5 cm2, 2 had a good clinical evolution, 2 were re-dilated, 1 was scheduled for surgery and the last one is under clinical management but with poor hemodynamic results. Three (5.7%) cases developed an atrial septal defect after the procedure, with hemodynamic repercussion in 1. Mitral regurgitation developed in 16 cases (+ in 8, +/++ in 8) without changes during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Double balloon mitral valvoplasty is a safe effective method in the treatment of the rheumatic mitral stenosis, and offers a better evolution in patients with a valvar area larger than 1.5 cm2 after the dilatation.