经口内镜下幽门肌切开术治疗难治性胃轻瘫的疗效观察

目的 评价经口内镜下幽门肌切开术（G-POEM）治疗难治性胃轻瘫的短期疗效及安全性。方法 回顾性分析2017年3月至2018年3月于郑州大学第一附属医院消化内科行G-POEM治疗的6例难治性胃轻瘫患者资料，其中3例糖尿病胃轻瘫，1例近端胃切除术后胃轻瘫，2例特发性胃轻瘫。评估手术情况、并发症发生情况，及手术前后胃轻瘫主要症状指数（GCSI）和胃排空显像（GES）变化。结果 6例患者G-POEM过程顺利，平均手术时间39.5 min，平均环形肌切开长度2.3 cm。平均GCSI评分由术前的3.50分降至术后3 d的0.73分，手术前后差异有统计学意义（t=9.221,P=0.000）。术中均未出现穿孔、休克等严重并发症；1例术中少量出血，予电凝钳止血后出血停止；1例术后出现发热，加强抗生素应用后体温恢复正常，未再反复。随访3个月，5例患者症状明显好转，复查胃镜示创面愈合可，幽门阻力较前明显降低，GCSI评分均<2分，GES 4 h均<10%；1例糖尿病患者术后3个月再次出现恶心、呕吐和腹痛等症状，复查胃镜显示胃内大量潴留物，幽门阻力较大，GCSI评分3.25，GES 4 h为55%。结论 G-POEM治疗不同类型的难治性胃轻瘫短期疗效确切，可改善患者症状及胃排空功能，尤其针对外科术后及特发性胃轻瘫患者疗效更佳，可作为治疗胃轻瘫的重要选择。     

经口内镜幽门括约肌切开术治疗胃下垂14例的疗效分析

目的分析经口内镜幽门括约肌切开术(G-POEM)治疗胃下垂的有效性和安全性。方法回顾性收集2016年8月1日至2020年8月1日于东南大学附属中大医院行G-POEM的14例胃下垂患者的基线资料, 包括年龄、体重、住院时间、修正后胃轻瘫主要症状指数评分(mGCSI)等。规律随访并记录相关资料进行对比分析, 主要观察指标为体重和mGCSI。统计学方法采用Friedman秩和检验与Bonferroni校正检验。结果 14例胃下垂患者的年龄为50.0岁(24.5岁), 所有患者均顺利完成手术, 均未发生严重手术并发症, 住院时间为10.5 d(5.0 d), 术后随访时间均>12个月。14例患者的术前、术后1周、术后1个月、术后3个月、术后6个月、术后12个月的mGCSI [1.94分(1.19分)、0.78分(0.47分)、0.36分(0.19分)、0.17分(0.45分)、0.13分(0.57分)、0.29分(0.50分)]和体重[43.5 kg(5.8 kg)、43.5 kg(5.8 kg)、42.5 kg(7.1 kg)、43.5 kg(6.9 kg)、45.0 kg(8.0 k...     

经口内镜下幽门肌切开术治疗胃大部切除术后胃瘫的疗效分析

目的 探讨经口内镜下幽门肌切开术（G-POEM）治疗胃大部切除术后胃瘫的有效性及安全性。方法 回顾性分析2016年8月至2018年6月在东南大学附属中大医院消化内科接受G-POEM治疗的47例胃大部切除术后胃瘫患者资料,分析治疗情况、手术相关并发症、胃瘫症状改善情况、胃排空功能改善情况。结果 47例患者均成功实施G-POEM,无一例出现与G-POEM相关的严重并发症。术后随访时间（9.8±5.8）个月（3~18个月）,患者术后第1、3、6、12、18个月胃瘫主要症状指数评分分别为1.6±0.5、1.2±0.4、1.1±0.6、1.4±0.3、1.7±0.3,均低于术前的3.8±1.1（P均＜0.01）,胃瘫症状显著改善。胃排空造影显示,术后第1、6、12、18个月造影剂半排空时间分别为（23.8±8.8）min、（21.2±9.5）min、（20.9±8.3）min、（26.4±7.8）min,较术前的（67.8±12.5）min均明显缩短（P均＜0.01）。三维超声胃窦容积测定提示,术后第1、6、12、18个月胃窦半排空时间分别为26.4（21.8,40.3）min、22.6（13.9,32.7）min、24.3（18.2,36.5）min、26.8（16.4,38.5）min,较术前的72.5（48.3,108.6）min均明显缩短（P均＜0.01）。结论 G-POEM治疗胃大部切除术后胃瘫具有良好的安全性,且远期疗效较满意。     

婴儿先天性肥厚性幽门狭窄临床特征

目的探讨婴儿先天性肥厚性幽门狭窄(congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis,CHPS)的临床发病特点,为该病诊治及流行病学调查提供依据。方法对307例CHPS住院患儿的病历资料进行回顾性总结和分析,观察项目包括患儿性别、发病年龄、体重变化、入院时电解质及动脉血气、B超检查结果及合并其他先天性疾病情况。将发病10d内治疗者列为早期组,超过10d者列为晚期组,比较这两组动脉血气、电解质及日平均体重增加的差别。结果 307例患儿中男性262例,女性45例,发病年龄1～351d,去掉离散程度较大者6例,其余301例平均发病年龄(23.8±13.0)d。患儿出生体重(3.24±0.44)kg(1.6～4.5kg);合并其他先天性疾病62例(20.2%)。幽门环肌B超厚度为(5.4±1.1)mm(3～8mm)。早期组日平均体重增加明显大于晚期组,而低钾血症、低氯血症及高碳酸血症发生率明显低于晚期组(P0.05);血钠与血pH值无显著性差异。结论婴儿CHPS以男性为主,发病年龄为3～5周,幽门环肌厚度(5.4±1.1)mm,合并其他先天性疾病比例较高。对于在出生后3～5周内出现持续性呕吐患儿,应高度警惕CHPS,并应尽快诊治,以减少低氯低钾性碱中毒的发生;避免病情进一步恶化。     

内镜下放射状切开术治疗小儿食管良性狭窄的疗效评估

目的 评价内镜下放射状切开术（ERI）对于小儿食管良性狭窄的疗效和安全性。 方法 回顾西安市儿童医院2013年1月至2018年5月期间接受ERI治疗的20例食管狭窄患儿的临床资料,总结手术情况、临床症状改善情况、手术相关并发症等。 结果 20例患儿均顺利完成ERI治疗,中位手术时间10 min（5～25 min）,中位狭窄环切开次数4次（1～8次）。所有患儿术后未出现发热、胸骨后疼痛、出血及穿孔等现象。住院时间4.5 d（4～7 d）。术后随访3～24个月,平均7.9个月。20例患儿术后1个月复查,狭窄口较术前扩张［1.0 cm（0.6～1.5 cm）比0.3 cm（0.1～0.5 cm）,t=11.018,P＜0.001］,吞咽困难评分较术前下降［0分（0～2分）比2.5分（2～4分）,Z=4.027,P＜0.001］。19例患儿术后3个月体重增加2 kg（1～4 kg）。相关性分析显示,ERI术后吞咽困难改善程度与性别、年龄、术前治疗次数、术前狭窄口直径均无明显关系（P均＞0.05）,而与狭窄段长度负相关（r=-0.514,P=0.020）。 结论 ERI治疗小儿食管良性狭窄是安全有效的,值得临床推广。     

腹腔镜下小婴儿幽门环肌切开术改进体会（附15例报告）

先天性肥厚性幽门狭窄（CHPS）是新生儿及小婴儿常见的消化道畸形,传统治疗方法是经腹幽门环肌切开术。2008年3月~2010年12月我们对收治的15例CHPS患儿进行了腹腔镜下幽门环肌切开术,术后疗效满意。现报告如下。     

内镜下放射状切开术治疗儿童十二指肠隔膜狭窄13例临床分析（含视频）

目的　探讨内镜下放射状切开术（endoscopic radial incision，ERI）治疗儿童先天性十二指肠隔膜狭窄（membranous duodenal stenosis，MDS）的有效性及安全性。方法　回顾性分析2017年5月至2021年12月西安市儿童医院消化内科收治的13例接受ERI治疗的MDS患儿的临床资料，分析手术过程、术后并发症及随访情况。结果　13例MDS患儿中男5例，女8例，中位病程时间8个月（2~20个月），中位诊断月龄13个月（5~30个月）。隔膜位于十二指肠降部10例（10/13），水平部3例（3/13）。十二指肠乳头开口于隔膜上1例（1/13），隔膜口侧5 cm内3例（3/13），隔膜肛侧5 cm内9例（9/13）。隔膜中位孔径为3 mm（2~6 mm）。13例患儿均顺利完成ERI，中位手术时间20 min（15~32 min）。手术平均切开3刀（2~4刀），术后外径9.9 mm内镜可自由通过，切开中位直径10 mm（10~12 mm），术后临床症状均达到缓解。术后出现并发症1例（1/13），为切口迟发性出血，内镜下金属夹夹闭止血，无肠穿孔及十二指肠乳头损伤等并发症。术后中位住院时间为6 d（5~10 d）。术后3个月复查上消化道造影及胃镜，狭窄口中位直径12 mm（10~15 mm），较术前狭窄口明显扩张。术后1个月患儿体重比术前平均增加1.20 kg（0.50~1.80 kg），术后3个月患儿体重平均增加3.50 kg（2.50~4.00 kg），接近正常同龄儿标准体重。结论　ERI作为微创方法治疗儿童MDS安全有效，具有良好的临床应用及推广价值。     

内镜支架置入新技术治疗幽门良性狭窄的初步观察（含视频）

2017年6月—2019年9月,5例良性重度幽门狭窄患者在郑州大学第一附属医院接受了内镜下全覆膜支架置入新技术治疗,5例均成功完成幽门处全覆膜支架置入,无并发症发生,术后行上消化道造影显示支架位置良好、造影剂通过顺利。5例患者于术后1～3 d开始进流食,进食后均无呕吐、腹痛、腹泻等症状出现,随访期间均有不同程度的体重增加,营养状态获得明显改善。4例于术后3～4个月行支架取出术;余1例于术后3个月发现支架移位至胃内,取出支架后观察幽门口略狭窄,行球囊扩张术+黏膜切开术。随后5例继续随访3个月,均无症状反复及再狭窄。以上结果初步证实,内镜下全覆膜支架置入新技术治疗良性幽门狭窄安全、有效。     

经口内镜下幽门肌切开术治疗难治性胃轻瘫的研究进展

胃轻瘫的发病率日益增加,其治疗方式主要有药物保守治疗、胃电刺激、幽门成形术、肉毒杆菌毒素注射和幽门支架置入术。经口内镜下幽门肌切开术（G-POEM）是治疗难治性胃轻瘫的一种较新的术式,具有微创、安全、有效等优势,本文就G-POEM治疗难治性胃轻瘫的研究进展作一综述。     

腹腔镜气膀胱Cohen术治疗小儿膀胱输尿管连接处畸形疗效分析

目的进一步提高小儿膀胱输尿管尿连接处畸形的临床治疗效果。方法对36例膀胱输尿管尿连接处畸形患儿行腹腔镜气膀胱Cohen手术治疗。结果 36例患儿手术顺利,无中转开腹,手术时间为65～140min,平均85min;出血量8～15ml,平均9ml。术后2d开始下床活动,术后5～7d拔除导尿管出院。术后随访2～40个月（平均26个月）,35例无尿路感染发生,尿常规检查正常,症状消失,静脉尿路造影（IVU）吻合口无狭窄,膀胱造影无反流;1例出现吻合口狭窄伴尿路感染,予保守治疗控制感染成功。结论腹腔镜Cohen手术治疗膀胱输尿管连接处畸形效果确切,且较为安全。     

A randomised control trial comparing lifestyle groups, individual counselling and written information in the management of weight and health outcomes over 12 months

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of an 8-week group-based cognitive behaviour therapy lifestyle intervention with monthly follow-up to 6 months and further follow up at 12 months on change in weight and other weight-related variables, change in physical activity and change in health and well being compared to individualised dietetic treatment or giving an information booklet only (BO). DESIGN: A randomised controlled trial of two intervention groups, a group-based cognitive behaviour therapy lifestyle intervention, Fat Booters Incorporated--(FBI) and individualised dietetic treatment (IDT) and control group receiving an information booklet only (BO). The intervention groups involved weekly contact for 8 weeks with monthly follow-up to 6 months and further follow-up at 12 months, conducted in real practice setting. SUBJECTS: A total of 176 adults with body mass index (BMI)>27 kg/m2, mean (+/-s.d.) age 48+/-13 years, mean BMI 34+/-5.5 kg/m2. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Weight, percent body fat, waist circumference, physical activity, health status, self-efficacy and satisfaction with life were measured at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference between groups was observed for weight change over time (P=0.05). The change in weight (mean+/-s.e.) for the FBI group was significantly greater than the BO group at 3 and 12 months (-2.8+/-0.7 compared to -1.0+/-0.6 kg, P<0.05 and -2.9+/-0.9 compared to +0.5+/-0.9 kg, P<0.005, respectively). Change in weight in the IDT group did not differ from the FBI group at any time point. For all groups, waist circumference was significantly less than baseline at all time points (P<0.001). Significant differences in self-efficacy were observed over time (P=0.02), with both intervention groups having greater self-efficacy than the BO group. Significant drop-outs occurred over time for all three groups. CONCLUSIONS: A cognitive behaviour-based lifestyle intervention was more effective than providing an information booklet alone and as effective as intensive individualised dietetic intervention in weight loss and improvements in self-efficacy.     

VDD-pacemaker in children--a long-term therapy?

AIMS: Transvenous AV-synchronous pacing in children started with the invention of smaller sized VDD leads and miniaturization of pacemakers. Whether or not this is a favourable long-term therapy was retrospectively investigated by us based on data from our records. METHODS: From May 1977 to July 2001 we implanted pacemakers in 104 children younger than 15 years of age. In 55 patients transvenous leads were implanted. Twelve of these (21.8 %) received a VDD pacemaker for hemodynamic reasons. RESULTS: Ages ranged from 11 months to 14.5 years (mean 7.7 +/- 4.3 y). Sizes of the children ranged from 67 to 141 cm (mean 105.9 +/- 15.5 cm) and body weight ranged from 5.3 to 62.0 kg (mean 22.5 +/- 9.8 kg). The mean follow-up period was 47.5 +/- 15.1 months. In 86.3 % of the time during follow-up pacemakers of which we obtained data were working in the VDD mode. Five of the twelve VDD patients (41.7 %) had to be reoperated because of severe traction on the leads. In all five patients the VDD systems were explanted and the patients changed to dual chamber pacemakers. The period of time between implantation and VDD lead explantation ranged from 24 to 74 months (48.6 +/- 18.5). CONCLUSIONS: VDD pacemakers can be implanted safely even in children with a low complication rate perioperatively. 41.7 % of our VDD patients had to be reoperated within the surveillance time because of severe lead tension due to thoracic growth. In our experience VDD pacemakers in smaller children seem to be a temporary solution to bridge AV-synchrony from a young age to DDD pacing in young adulthood.     

先天性二尖瓣关闭不全患儿成形手术近中期结果分析

目的:总结先天性二尖瓣关闭不全患儿成形手术治疗的近中期结果。方法:选择自2016年1月至2018年1月因中重度二尖瓣关闭不全于我院行“三步法”二尖瓣成形术治疗的患儿70例。研究分析患者二尖瓣病变特征,术中操作要点,手术安全性和有效性,术后并发症及近中期随访结果。结果:70例患儿中男性31例,女性39例;年龄中位数23.83(四分位间距7.58,52.39)个月;身高85.50(67.75,105.25)cm;体重11.75(6.48,16.88)kg。手术均采用胸骨正中切口,均在全麻低温体外循环下进行。体外循环时间(102.10±40.65)min,主动脉阻断时间(67.76±32.97)min。术后住院15.50(11.75,25.75)天,术后早期死亡率为2.86%。术后二尖瓣中度以上关闭不全患者比例较术前显著降低(术前100%,术后7.14%;P<0.01)。术后随访20(17.45~26.30)个月。随访期间死亡率为1.5%,再次手术发生率为7.35%,二尖瓣中量以上反流发生率为14.71%。结论:“三步法”二尖瓣成形术是一种安全、有效的治疗方法,近中期结果良好,为二尖瓣关闭不全患儿提供了一种可靠的手术选择。     

Low physical performance in obese adolescent boys with metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To assess cardiorespiratory exercise function in obese children with and without metabolic syndrome (MS). DESIGN: Comparing three groups of subjects with different cardiovascular risk profiles. SUBJECTS: Twenty-two MS (body weight (mean+/-s.d.) 97.3+/-15.3 kg; age (mean+/-s.d.) 14.2+/-1.9 y), 17 obese (82.6+/-15.7 kg; 14.2+/-2.6 y) and 29 normal weight control (64.3+/-8.5 kg; 15.3+/-1.0 y) boys. MEASUREMENTS: Exercise duration (ED), resting heart rate (HR(0)), peak heart rate (HR(peak)), physical working capacity at 170 beat/min (PWC-170), peak oxygen consumption (VO(2peak)) and the lactic acidosis threshold (LAT) were determined on treadmill, using a continuous ramp protocol. RESULTS: ED (MS (mean+/-s.d.); 655+/-86 s; obese 703+/-64 s; control 750+/-0 s) in absolute value and PWC-170 normalised for body weight (139+/-40 w; 177+/-40 w; 211+/-40 w) were significantly shorter and lower in the MS group, as compared to obese and control groups (P<0.05). VO(2peak) (2.2+/-0.4 l/min; 2.4+/-0.5 l/min; 2.9+/-0.4 l/min) and LAT (1.3+/-0.4 l/min; 1.5+/-0.4 l/ min; 1.8+/-0.4 l/min) normalised for body weight, were significantly shorter and lower in the MS group, as compared to control group (P<0.05). HR(0) was significantly higher (P<0.05) in MS group than in obese and control groups (88+/-12 bpm; obese 78+/-10 bpm; 73+/-10 bpm). CONCLUSION: Cardiorespiratory exercise performance capacity in MS boys are reduced. It still remains to be elucidated whether the metabolic alterations or the decreased physical activity is responsible for the observed reduction in cardiorespiratory performance.     

Laparoscopic total mesorectal excision with natural orifice specimen extraction

AIM:To introduce transvaginal or transanal specimen extraction in laparoscopic total mesorectal excision surgery to avoid an abdominal incision. METHODS:Between January 2009 and December 2011,21 patients with rectal cancer underwent laparoscopic radical resection and the specimen was retrieved by two different ways:transvaginal or transanal rectal removal.Transvaginal specimen extraction approach was strictly limited to elderly post-menopausal women who need hysterectomy.Patients aged between 30 and 80 years,with a body mass index of less than 30 kg/m2, underwent elective surgery.The surgical technique and the outcomes related to the specimen extraction,such as duration of surgery,length of hospital stay,and the complications were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS:Laparoscopic resection using a natural orifice removal approach was successful in all of the 21 patients.Median operating time was 185 min(range,122-260 min)and the estimated blood loss was 48 mL. The mean length of hospital stay was 7.5 d(range,2-11 d).One patient developed postoperative ileus and had an extended hospital stay.The patient complained of minimal pain.There were no postoperative complications or surgery-associated death.The mean size of the lesion was 2.8 cm(range,1.8-6.0 cm),and the mean number of lymph nodes harvested was 18.7(range, 8-27).At a mean follow-up of 20.6 mo(range,10-37 mo),there were no functional disorders associated with the transvaginal and transanal specimen extraction. CONCLUSION:Transvaginal or transanal extraction in L-TME is a safe and effective procedure.Natural orifice specimen extraction can avoid the abdominal wall incision and its potential complications.     

Pancreas regeneration after resection: does it occur in humans?

Although pancreatic regeneration after partial resection or pancreatic injury (restitutio ad integrum) has been demonstrated in animal models, whether regeneration occurs in the human pancreas is unknown. Our aim was to determine whether the human pancreas regenerates after subtotal resection. We reviewed pre- and postoperative computerized tomograms (CTs) of 21 patients after proximal pancreatectomy (50-60% resection) for malignancy with no recurrent disease during follow-up of pancreatic parenchymal abnormalities. Three fixed anatomic measurements (pancreatic body width, tail width, and length) were compared with the same region 10 and 21 months after surgery. Data are expressed as mean +/- SEM. Pancreatic measurements before and 10 months after resection did not differ for body width (2.0+/-0.1 cm vs. 1.8+/-0.1 cm), tail width (2.2+/-0.2 cm vs. 1.8+/-0.2 cm) or length (8.2+/-0.3 vs. 7.4+/-0.4 cm) (p> or =0.1 each). At 21 months after resection, measurements were less for body width and tail width (2.2+/-0.2 cm vs. 1.5+/-0.2 cm and 2.2+/-0.1 cm vs. 1.5+/-0.2 cm, respectively; p = 0.01) and unchanged for length (8.1+/-0.4 cm vs. 8.1+/-0.4 cm; p = 0.9). We conclude that the human pancreas does not regenerate after partial anatomic (50%) resection.     

Validity and reproducibility of ultrasonography for the measurement of intra-abdominal adipose tissue

OBJECTIVE: We studied the validity and reproducibility of a new abdominal ultrasound protocol for the assessment of intra-abdominal adipose tissue. MEASUREMENTS: Intra-abdominal adipose tissue was assessed by CT, MRI, anthropometry and ultrasonography on a single day. By ultrasonography the distance between peritoneum and lumbar spine was measured using a strict protocol, including the location of the measurements, pressure on the transducer and respiration. All measurements were repeated after 3 months. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 19 overweight patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 32.9 kg/m(2) (s.d. 3.7), intra-abdominal adipose tissue on CT 140.1 cm(2) (s.d. 55.9), and a mean ultrasound distance of 9.8 cm (s.d. 2.5). There was a strong association between the CT and ultrasonographic measures: Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.81 (P<0.001). The correlation between ultrasound and waist circumference was 0.74 (P<0.001), the correlation between CT and waist circumference was 0.57 (P=0.01). Ultrasound appeared a good method to diagnose intra-abdominal obesity: the area under the ROC curve was 0.98. During the follow-up period of 3 months, the patients lost on average almost 3 kg of body weight. The correlation coefficient between changes in intra-abdominal adipose tissue assessed by CT and ultrasound was 0.74 (P<0.001). The correlation coefficient of the mean ultrasound distance assessed by two different sonographers at baseline was 0.94 (P<0.001), the mean difference 0.4 cm (s.d. 0.9), and the coefficient of variation 5.4%, indicating good reproducibility of the ultrasound measurements. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this validation study show that abdominal ultrasound, using a strict protocol, is a reliable and reproducible method to assess the amount of intra-abdominal adipose tissue and to diagnose intra-abdominal obesity.     

Effect of normal-fat diets, either medium or high in protein, on body weight in overweight subjects: a randomised 1-year trial

BACKGROUND: We have previously reported that a fat-reduced high-protein diet had more favourable effects on body weight loss over 6 months than a medium-protein diet. OBJECTIVE: To extend this observation by a further 6-12 months less stringent intervention and a 24 months follow-up. DESIGN: A randomised 6 months strictly controlled dietary intervention followed by 6-12 months dietary counselling period, and a subsequent 24 months follow-up, comparing an ad libitum, fat-reduced diet (30% of energy) either high in protein (25% of energy, HP) or medium in protein (12% of energy, MP). SUBJECTS: A total of 50 overweight and obese subjects (age: 19-55 y; BMI: 26-34 kg/m(2)). MEASUREMENTS: Change in body weight, body composition and blood parameters. RESULTS: After 6 months, the HP group (n=23) achieved a greater weight loss than the MP group (n=23) (9.4 vs 5.9 kg) (P<0.01). After 12 months, 8% had dropped out in the HP vs 28% in the MP group (P<0.07). After 12 months, the weight loss was not significantly greater among the subjects in the HP group (6.2 and 4.3 kg), but they had a 10% greater reduction in intra-abdominal adipose tissue and more in the HP group (17%) lost >10 kg than in the MP (P<0.09). At 24 months, both groups tended to maintain their 12 months weight loss, but more than 50% were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSION: A fat-reduced diet high in protein seems to enhance weight loss and provide a better long-term maintenance of reduced intra-abdominal fat stores.     

Immediate and long-term follow-up of percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty in pregnant patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis

Percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty (PMV) can be performed during pregnancy without significant maternal risk or fetal morbidity or mortality. However, little is known about long-term follow-up results after PMV in populations of pregnant women. Thus, the present study was undertaken to determine the immediate and long-term outcomes after PMV in a large cohort of pregnant patients with severe mitral stenosis. The patient population consisted of 71 consecutive pregnant women with severe rheumatic mitral stenosis admitted to the hospital with severe congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association class III and IV) for PMV. All patients underwent clinical and obstetric evaluations, electrocardiography, and 2-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography. PMV was successful in all patients, resulting in a significant increase in mitral valve area from 0.9 +/- 0.2 to 2.0 +/- 0.3 cm2 (p <0.001). At the end of pregnancy, 98% of the patients were in New York Heart Association functional class I or II. At a mean follow-up of 44 +/- 31 months, the total event-free survival rate was 54%. The mean gestational age at delivery time was 38 +/- 1 weeks. Preterm deliveries occurred in 9 patients (13%), including 2 twin pregnancies. The remaining 66 of 75 newborns (88%) had normal weight (mean 2.8 +/- 0.6 kg) at delivery. At long-term follow-up of 44 +/- 31 months after birth, the 66 children exhibited normal growth and development and did not show any clinical abnormalities. In conclusion, PMV is safe and effective, has a low morbidity and mortality rate for the mother and the fetus, and has favorable long-term results in pregnant women with rheumatic mitral stenosis in New York Heart Association functional class III or IV.