Persistence of lung function abnormalities despite sustained success of percutaneous mitral valvotomy: the need for an early indication.

Aims: We assessed early and long-term pulmonary function changes after percutaneous balloon mitral valvotomy (PBMV).

Methods And Results: Mitral area, lung function, and exercise capacity were evaluated before, immediately after, and 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after successful PBMV in 24 patients. PBMV resulted in a significant and sustained increase in mitral area, from 1.