IN THE rediscovery period of mitral surgery, beginning with the efforts of Harken and associates' and Bailey,2 3 it was clearly demonstrated that even a moderate increase in the size of the mitral orifice would improve the physiologic status of the patient considerably. However, as time went on it was apparent that finger fracture alone was not sufficient for many badly scarred and calcified va...

Prophylactic anticoagulant treatment prior to mitral valvotomy was first recommended by Storm and Hansen (1955). Several authors have since confirmed that this measure significantly reduces the incidence of operative and post-operative embolism. But this dreaded complication was entirely abolished only in Storm and Hansen's series and in the first series reported by Miscall et al. (1962). In al...

A study has been made of serial electrocardiograms of patients with mitral stenosis in sinus rhythm, whose clinical progress was followed for at least four years after mitral valvotomy. The behaviour of the left atrial P wave after operation has been examined with special reference to its relationship to continued clinical progress. In addition, the form of the P wave in the pre-operative elect...

Subendocardial blood flow may be estimated from the ratio of flow to the subendocardium to myocardial oxygen consumption. The first may be estimated from the diastolic pressure time index (area between aortic and left ventricular (LV) pressure during diastole) and the latter by the tension time index (integral of LV pressure during systolic ejection). Subendocardial flow index (SEFI) averaged 1...