Abstract
The hemodynamic effects of MVR and functions of both the SJM and the Omniscience valve were studied in twenty-six patients with severe pulmonary hypertension (systolic pressure greater than 60mmHg). MVR resulted in significantly decreased pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary vascular resist-ance and pulmonary arterial wedge pressure with both valves. The differences between the pulmonary wedge and left atrial pressures decreased after nitroglycerin administration in six patients with persistent pulmonary hypertension after MVR suggesting the contribution of pulmonary venoconstriction to severe pulmonary hyper-tension in patients of mitral valvular disease. Continuous wave Doppler echocardio-graphy revealed better valve function with the SJM valve, although there was no significant difference between two kinds of valve.
