Abstract
Studies are made on the cases which underwent commissurotomy for mitral stenosis during 1953 and 1956. Of these cases, 88 cases are followed up at the First Surgical Department, Osaka University Medical School on questionaire or presonal interview ; 15 cases are left untraced. On the basis of New York Heart Association 37 cases belong to Grade I, 18 cases Grade II, 5 cases Grade III, and 2 cases Grade IV ; 16 cases prove late deaths. 10 cases are unspecified. Fifty-five cases (62 %) belonging to Grade I and Grade 2 are in a favorable condition. Factors which directly affect the long term follow up are corrected width of the mitral orifice, calcification of the leaflet and regurgitation. It is revealed that they are all concerned with valve function. Indirect factors are age, sex, and heart rhythm. The degree of pre-operative severity of the disease does not seem to affect the follow-up. Features of the surgery are discussed in reference to cardiac catheterization, x-ray and ECG findings.
