EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF PERCUTANEOUS TRANSVENOUS MITRAL COMMISUROTOMY (PTMC) PERFORMED THROUGH PATENT FORAMEN OVALE (PFO)

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess efficacy and safety of PTMC in patients with severe mitral stenosis (MS) perform through patent foramen ovale. Methodology: All symptomatic patients with severe MS were included in the study from January 1998 to December 2010, at Cardiology department, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar. Transthoracic and trans-esophageal echocardiogram was performed to exclude left atrial appendage/left atrial clot and check the anatomy of interatrial septum. Severely calcified mitral valve and severe mitral regurgitation were excluded. Patent foramen ovale was crossed in majority of cases to reach left atrium. Stenosed mitral valve was dilated with Inoue balloon. Results: Total number of patients was 1818. Females were 74% (p 0.05). Conclusion: PTMC through patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a safe procedure, with few complications.