Emergent balloon mitral valvotomy in patients presenting with cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock or refractory pulmonary edema.

OBJECTIVES

The present study was performed to determine the outcome of emergent balloon mitral valvotomy (BMV) in patients with cardiac arrest, pulmonary edema or cardiogenic shock.

BACKGROUND

In India, many patients with mitral stenosis present in critical condition. They have high mortality despite surgical relief. The role of BMV in such patients is ill-defined.

METHODS

Of 558 patients undergoing BMV between January 1993 and December 1994, 40 presented with cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest or pulmonary edema refractory to medical treatment and underwent emergent BMV (group I). Elective BMV was performed in the remaining 518 patients (group II).

RESULTS

Age ([mean +/- SD] 40 +/- 13 vs. 31 +/- 9 years, p < 0.05), incidence of atrial fibrillation (35% vs. 11%, p < 0.05), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PAsP) (64 +/- 14 vs. 51 +/- 12 mm Hg, p < 0.001) and mitral valve (MV) score (7.4 +/- 1.2 vs. 6.4 +/- 1, p < 0.001) were higher and MV area lower (0.74 +/- 0.17 vs. 0.86 +/- 0.14 cm2, p < 0.001) in group I patients. After emergent BMV in group I, mitral regurgitation occurred in 15%, and the mortality rate was 35%. Stepwise logistic regression analysis identified MV score > or =8 (p = 0.008), PAsP > or =65 mm Hg (p = 0.023) and cardiac output < or =3.151 liters/min (p = 0.001) as significant predictors of a fatal outcome. Follow-up of 1 to 16 months (median 8) was available in 20 of 26 survivors in group I, of whom 15 were asymptomatic. The gain in MV area and the decrease in transmitral gradient and PAsP obtained immediately after BMV persisted during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

Emergent BMV is feasible in critically ill patients. In-hospital survivors have excellent clinical and hemodynamic status at intermediate follow-up.