Modern management of mitral stenosis

MS is usually caused by rheumatic fever, a disease rare in developed countries today but that still persists in a large part of the world. When complicated by AF, rate control and anticoagulation are mandatory in the absence of pressing contraindications. Once more than mild symptoms exist or once asymptomatic pulmonary hypertension occurs, mechanical relief of MS is indicated. In most cases, such relief is provided by the durable commissurotomy created at BMV. In other cases, surgical correction is needed. After these interventions, prognosis is excellent. © 2005 American Heart Association, Inc.