Conservative operation for mitral stenosis with densely fibrosed or partially calcified valves. An eight-year evaluation.

Of 284 patients undergoing open mitral commissurotomy for mitral stenosis from January 1978 to December 1985, 81 patients had a densely scarred or partly calcified valve. In this study, we evaluated the postoperative results in these 81 patients. There were no operative or late deaths. Seventy-seven patients (95%) are in Functional Class I or II. Three patients required reoperation 3, 30, and 50 months after the initial procedure because of moderate or severe residual mitral regurgitation. After valvotomy there were four episodes of embolism. The actuarial rate of freedom from any complication (mortality, reoperation, congestive heart failure, and thromboembolic events) was 89.3% +/- 3.9% (mean +/- standard error of the mean) 8 years after operation. We conclude that for a follow-up period of 8 years, the stenotic mitral valve with anatomical deformities can be salvaged with satisfactory results. Therefore, we believe that this approach, at present, is a better alternative than prosthetic replacement with any type of valve presently available.