OBJECTIVETo observe the long-term outcome of repeat percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) in patients with mitral restenosis.

METHODSThirty-nine patients with mitral restenosis post fist PBMV received repeat PBMV with the improved Inoue method. Patients were followed up for 12 to 146 months.

RESULTSRepeat PBMV succeed in 36 out of 39 patients (92.3%). Immediately after repeat PBMV, clinical symptoms and left atrial mean pressure [LAP, (24.50+/-6.54) mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa) vs. (9.66+/-4.21) mm Hg], pulmonary artery systolic pressure [PASP, (58.12+/-12.68) mm Hg vs. (31.45+/-10.02) mm Hg], mitral valve gradient [MVG, (17.03+/-4.52) mm Hg vs. (7.79+/-4.07) mm Hg] and area of mitral valve orifice [MVA, (1.05+/-0.19) cm2 vs. (2.23+/-0.22) cm2] improved significantly compared to pre-PBMV (all P<0.05). Left atrial end-diastolic dimension (LAD) remained unchanged post operation [(4.71+/-0.75) cm vs. (4.07+/-0.69) cm, P>0.05]. Thirty six out of 39 cases could be followed up for a period between 12-146 months (69+/-23) months. Follow-up, data showed that MVA [(2.02+/-0.21) cm2 vs. (2.23+/-0.22) cm2] and MVG [(9.15+/-4.11) mm Hg vs. (7.79+/-4.07) mm Hg] were similar as those directly post operation (all P>0.05). Cardiac function and quality of life were also significantly improved in most patients during follow up.

CONCLUSIONRepeat PBMV is safe and effective for most patients with mitral restenosis.