Clinical applications of echocardiography for patients with stenotic double orifice mitral valve pre- and post-balloon mitral valvuloplasty

Background: In previous studies, double orifice mitral valve (DOMV) was found to be a rare congenital anomaly, especially in isolated DOW stenosis. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the usefulness of transthoracic echocardiography, which includes two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography, for diagnosing and evaluating stenotic DOW pre- and post-balloon mitral valvuloplasty (BIVIV). This is believed to be the first study ever reported in Taiwan. Patients and methods: We retrospectively reviewed the echocardiographic findings of eight symptomatic patients with stenotic DOW who successfully underwent BMV between September 2000 and March 2005. We analyzed their echocardiographic characteristics of valve morphology, size, location and transmitral pressure gradient before BMV and valve restenosis after BMV. Results: All patients had incomplete bridge type with larger posteromedial orifice. No associated lesions were noted in any of the patients. After medical treatment and evaluation, they all underwent BMV successfully. Follow-up echocardiography showed no mitral valve restenosis. Conclusion: Two-dimensional echocardiography is a dependable method for diagnosing DOMV and evaluating stenotic DOW post-BMV.