[Indices of left venticular performance and evaluation myocardial quality in mitral valve insufficiency, chronic aortic valve insufficiency and stenosis].

132 patients with pure mono-valvular cardiopathies (mitral incompetence, aortic stenosis and aortic incompetence) were classified into two groups according to the values of the systolic work index/myocardial mass ratio (SWI/MLV). Normal values of the ejection function (EF) and mean velocity of circumferential fibre shortening (VCF) for each cardiopathy were so obtained. Only patients with aortic stenosis of group I (SWI/MLV greater than or equal to 0.75 gm . g-1) had normal EF. All the other patients had EF and VCF values below normal although this did not always imply impaired myocardial function. Therefore the myocardial mass should also be considered in the evaluation of myocardial function and it would seem desirable to take this parameter into account in the management of these patients.