Determinants of left atrial pressure in rheumatic mitral stenosis: role of left atrial compliance and "atrial stiffness".

Abstract

Patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis have markedly depressed left atrial compliance and hence have "stiff" left atria. Left atrial compliance is an important determinant of left atrial pressure, and improves immediately after successful balloon mitral valvotomy, irrespective of pre-balloon mitral valvotomy left atrial pressures.