[Electric cardioversion after surgical correction of the mitral valve defect. Prognostic value of the two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography in the assessment of its long-term effectiveness].

In 82 patients after mitral valve surgery (59--commissurotomy, 23--valve replacement--Björk-Shiley or St. Jude prosthetic valve), 2-D and Doppler echocardiography were performed one day before electrical cardioversion. Regular sinus rhythm was maintained to 180 days in 28 patients (34%), over 180 days in 54 patients (66%). The statistical differences (p less than 0.05) between the following echocardiography parameters of these two groups were determined: parasternal long axis view: aortic, atrial, right and left ventricular dimensions (not significant--NS); apical four-chamber view: left and right atrial, left and right ventricular areas--NS; apical two-chamber view: left atrial area--p less than 0.05; pulmonary valve: peak flow velocity--NS, acceleration time--NS; mitral valve: effective area--p less than 0.05, pressure half-time--p less than 0.05, mean gradient--NS, mean flow--NS, E-wave max. flow velocity--NS. These data suggest, that left atrial area less than 30 cm2 derived from two-chamber view and Doppler effective mitral area more or equal 2, 10 cm2 may be important and good predictors of long-term results of cardioversion in patients after mitral valve surgery.