[Atrioplasty in surgical correction of mitral valve defect complicated by left-sided atriomegaly].

: Surgical treatment of 40 patients with mitral valvular diseases and left atriomegaly is analysed. The dimensions of the giant left atrium in this group of patients must be reduced because it causes compression of the posterobasal part of the left ventricle, constriction of the lumen of the left main bronchus or compression of the inferior and middle lobes of the right lung. Left atrioplasty has a favorable effect on the course of the immediate postoperative period and reduces significantly hospital mortality among this grave contingent of patients.