THE NATURAL HISTORY OF 271 PATIENTS WITH MITRAL STENOSIS UNDER MEDICAL TREATMENT

Abstract

This report is a follow-up of 271 patients with isolated mitral stenosis under medical treatment. The material comprises patients who came under medical care for cardiac symptoms during the years 1933-49. A first report of this series has already been published (Olesen, 1955). By 1959, 83 per cent of the patients had died, and the majority of survivors showed symptoms and signs of progression of the disease. On this background an analysis of the last follow-up data is presented as a contribution to the description of the natural history of mitral stenosis.