Mitral stenosis in the young in developing countries

Abstract

A total of 140 patients younger than 20 years of age have been operated upon for mitral stenosis by the closed technique at our institution. The mortality rate has been 3.5 per cent, and 90 per cent of the patients are doing well on follow-up of 1 to 6 years. Patients in developing countries are young, have pliable valves, and have a low incidence of atrial fibrillation, atrial thrombus, and calcification. A number of patients will need operation for restenosis on longer follow-up. In addition there are shortages of trained personnel, equipment, and drugs. For these reasons we believe that most of the patients in developing countries should have closed mitral valvotomy.