Profile of adult patients presenting for rheumatic mitral valve surgery at a tertiary academic hospital.

Background: Peri-operative morbidity and mortality are increased in patients with rheumatic heart disease. Pre-operative risk stratification is imperative for optimisation and a better outcome.

Methods: This was a descriptive, retrospective, contextual study.

The quadrileaflet mitral valve: follow-up in rheumatic heart disease.

This prospective study evaluated the clinical performance of a novel stentless quadrileaflet bovine pericardial mitral valve implanted at one center since December 1996. After giving informed consent, patients were included in the study if they required isolated mitral valve replacement. All underwent comprehensive clinical evaluation, as well as transthoracic M-mode, two-dimensional and Doppler (pulsed, continuous, and color) echocardiography preoperatively and postoperatively at 1 month, 3 months, and annually thereafter.