Relationship Between Resting Parameters of the Mitral Valve and Exercise Capacity in Patients with Mitral Stenosis: Can the Diastolic Filling Period Predict Exercise Capacity?
Mehmet Eren MD, Erdinc Arikan MD, Sevket Gorgulu MD, Bahadïr Dagdeviren MD, Osman Bolca MD, Tugrul Norgaz MD, Tuna Tezel MD

This study was initiated to determine whether resting parameters of the mitral valve, notably the left ventricular diastolic filling period (LVDFP) and valve resistance, relate to restricted exercise capacity in mitral stenosis (MS). Forty-six patients (30 females, 16 males; mean age 44 ± 11 years; range: 33-55 years) with MS were enrolled. Exercise capacities of patients were grouped according to NYHA class and maximal exercise tolerance values obtained during exercise testing. Exercise capacities in males were also quantified. There were no correlations between echo score, mitral valve area, valve resistance and transmitral mean gradient and exercise capacity classes as defined by both NYHA and exercise testing. The only predictor of exercise capacity was LVDFP. In conclusion, exercise capacity is not predictable by routine resting parameters of the mitral valve (including valve resistance) in patients with MS. In this respect, the LVDFP may be of value.