Severe Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis, Worse Left Atrial Mechanics is Closely Associated with Echo Criteria for Intervention.

Background: Rheumatic mitral valve (MV) stenosis is associated with progressive left atrial (LA) fibrosis and functional impairment, Pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. The aims of the study were to determine in those patients with severe MV stenosis if LA mechanical function as assessed by speckle tracking echocardiography could identify those with increased PASP, atrial fibrillation (AFib), and RV dysfunction.

Subjects And Methods: Patients with severe MV stenosis were identified from the institutional echo database.