Closed mitral valvulotomy.

During an average follow-up period of five years (from 1966 to 1975) 60 patients, 43 females and 17 males, were subjected to closed mitral valvulotomy at the Oulu University Central Hospital. Two patients died when still in hospital, and one died later at home. 25 % of whole series, and 41 % of the patients with atrial fibrillastion presented with a history of preoperative systemic embolism. Intraoperative embolism occurre in one patient, and late embolism in two patients. All these patients survived. Excellent or good results were recorded for 66 % of the living patients. Significant mitral calcification and/or preoperative regurgitation affected adversely both mortality and functional results. Closed mitral valvulotomy still offers excellent palliation with a minor risk for a significant number of carefully selected patients with mitral stenosis.