OBJECTIVETo observe the outcome and assess related factors affecting left atrial remodeling after percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) in patients with mitral valve stenosis.

METHODSFrom March 1998 to June 2002, there were 96 mitral valve stenosis patients who underwent PBMV in our hospital. Echocardiographic, 12 leads united electrocardiogram and other clinical datas were collected at preoperation, 1 week after operation, and 4 - 6 years after operation to retrospective analysis. Multiple stepwise regression analysis was used to assess controllable factors of left atrial remodeling.

RESULTSLeft atrial diameter reduced from (44.6 +/- 6.6) cm before PBMV to (42.8 +/- 6.5) cm (P > 0.05) 1 week after PBMV and enlarged to (47.2 +/- 5.7)cm (all P < 0.05) at the end of 4 - 6 years follow up post operation. The mitral valve area (MVA) increased from (1.06 +/- 0.32) cm2 before PBMV to (2.02 +/- 0.43) cm2 1 week after PBMV and (1.98 +/- 0.36) cm2 4 - 6 years post operation (all P < 0.05). Heart function assessed by NYHA classification improved significantly at 1 week and 4 - 6 years after surgery compared with pre-operation (P < 0.01). Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that systolic blood pressure at 4 - 6 years after operation, MVA at 1 week after operation, preoperative atrial fibrillation, Wilkins score < or = 8, preoperative left atrial diameter were the independent predictive factors of left atrial remodeling at 4 - 6 years after PBMV.

CONCLUSIONSPBMV was an effective therapy option for patients with mitral valve stenosis. Systolic blood pressure at 4 - 6 years after operation, MVA at 1 week after operation, preoperative atrial fibrillation, Wilkins < or = 8, preoperative left atrial diameter are the predictive factors of left atrial remodeling after PBMV.