18 years follow-up results of mitral balloon valvuloplasty in 531 consecutive patients and predictors of long-term outcome

Background : Aim of the study: Long-term echocardiographic follow-up studies of mitral balloon valvuloplasty (MBV) are scarce. The study aim was to assess the long-term results (up to 18 years) of MBV and to identify predictors of restenosis and event-free survival. Methods : The immediate and long-term clinical and echocardiographic results for 531 consecutive patients (mean age 31 ± 11 years) who underwent successful MBV for severe mitral stenosis (MS) and were followed up for a mean of 8.5 ± 4.8 years (range: 1.5 to 18 years) after MBV are reported. Results : Immediately after MBV, the mitral valve area (MVA) was increased from 0.92 ± 0.17 cm 2 to 1.95 ± 0.29 cm 2 ( p 8 ( p p 8 ( p p = 0.043) as predictors of restenosis, and MES > 8 ( p p = 0.03) as predictors of combined events. Conclusion : MBV provides excellent long-term results for selected patients with MS. The long-term outcome of this procedure can be predicted from the baseline clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of the mitral valve.