Hemodynamics changes in children and adolescents with mitral valve replacement

: The authors analyze the pre and post-operative hemodynamic picture of 30 children and adolescents with mitral valve replacement, which corresponds to a group of 106 patients operated on from 1964 to 1974. At variable time periods, between 9 days and 48 months (average 28 months) from the valve replacement, a new catheterization was done. The majority of the studies were done in the period between 13 and 36 months. Of the 30 cases, 21 were carriers of the Starr-Edwards valve, and the rest of different types. The Starr-Edwards valves produced a lawering of the CVP from 23.0 to 11.0 mm. Hg (average values) whereas with the other types the average pre-operative figure was 21.0 and in the post-operative period it fell to 11.0 mm. Hg. In the group with SE valves, pre-operative SPP was an average of 64.3 and in the post-operative period it was 32.0 mm. Hg. In the cases of SE valves the pre-operative total pulmonary resistances were 12.3 units and post-operatively they fell to 3.7 units. With the other types of valves the pre-opeative average was 10.9 units and post-operatively it was 5.3 units. The hemodynamic results obtained over a period of time with valvular substitution were similar in the distinct types of valves. However in the SE the benefits resulted more constant. The value of radiological and electrocardiographic study in order to predict the early post-operative hemodynamic changes is discussed. These studies serve essentially for a long range evaluation, whereas the hemodynamic, and clinical improvement maintained a strict relationship. This work shows that, in children and adolescents, the presence of severe venous-capillary and arterial pulmonary hypertension, and the elevated pulmonary resistences, are not contraindications for surgical treatment. It equally proves the eficacy of the valvular replacement, when the surgical indication and the control of the patients are handled in the proper way.