ABSTRACT
Since its introduction in 1984 by Inoue et al,1 percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty (PMV) has been used successfully as an alternative to open or closed surgical mitral commissurotomy in the treatment of patients with symptomatic rheumatic mitral stenosis.2-18 PMV produces good immediate hemodynamic outcome, low complication rate, and clinical improvement in the majority of patients with mitral stenosis.2-18 PMV provides sustained clinical and hemodynamic improvement in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis. The immediate and long term results appear to be similar to those of surgical mitral commissurotomy.2-18
Today, PMV is the preferred form of therapy for relief of mitral stenosis for a selected group of patients with symptomatic mitral stenosis.
