Dr. Ananda G.C
Introduction: Rheumatic heart disease is one of the most common heart diseases in developing countries. One of the most common complications of Rheumatic Heart Disease is Mitral Stenosis which ultimately leads to pulmonary hypertension and heart failure and death. So, PTMC (Percutaneous Transluminal Mitral Commissurotomy) is a well established simple, effective and safe therapeutic intervention for mitral stenosis.
While much literature reviewed to date have shown that it takes 3-6 months time period for the reduction of pulmonary artery pressure after PTMC, this study is designed to see the result in pulmonary artery pressure immediately after the procedure.
Method: A total of 42 patients with Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis in Cath Lab under the Department of Cardiology of Chitwan Medical College from October 1 2018 to August 30, 2019, were included in the study. Pulmonary artery pressure was assessed by Right heart catheterization by using a multipurpose /pigtail catheter under conscious sedation.
Results: It is a prospective observational study on a total of 42 patients who underwent PTMC, 30 were female and 12 were male. Age ranged from 30 to 61 years with the mean age of 45.36±10 years. The mean mitral valve area increased from 0.87±0.2 cm2 to 1.74±0.17 cm2 whereas Mean Pressure Gradient decreased from 13.59± 7.30 mmHg to 5.15±30 mmHg. Mean Pulmonary Artery Pressure decreased from 41.50 ±16.00 mmHg to 33.50±12.00 mmHg. Similarly, the mean left atrial pressure decreased from 26.57±8.62 mmHg to 15.50±5.95 mmHg whereas, the mean Aortic Pressure increased from 91.43 ±23.02 mmHg to 98.29±24.92 mmHg. Eighteen (42.85%) patients had an increase in MR by 2 grades but there is no need for immediate mitral valve replacement. During the procedure, paroxysmal PSVT was noted in six (14.285%) patients and also local hematoma was observed in five (11.90%) patients.
Conclusion: There is a reduction in pulmonary artery pressure immediately post PTMC which is directly correlated with left atrial pressure without significant MR and tachycardia. This study is limited in terms of a single-center with a small sample size.
