An Evaluation of Mitral Valvotomy

MITRAL VALVOTOMY is now a standard procedure and in recent years many series of cases have been reported. The results of 121 cases from this hospital have been recorded (Pantridge et al., 1953). 454 patients with mitral stenosis, all of whom were assessed by one of us (J. F. P.), have now had mitral valvotomy. The results of the initial 400 operations have been subjected to critical analysis are presented here. The operations were performed by Mr. T. B. Smiley, Mr. J. A. W. Bingham and Mr. H. M. Stevenson. Of the patients 305 (78.2 per cent.) were female and 85 (21.8 per cent.) male. (Table 1). A few patients had more than one operation. The figures relate to all operations and include those where no effective commissurotomy was possible.