Q. Cardiac Catheterization of mitral stenosis?
Cardiac catheterization is rarely needed to diagnose mitral stenosis. An end diastolic gradient more than 5 mm Hg. across mitral valve as measured by the gradient between pulmonary artery wedge pressure and left ventricular diastolic pressure diagnoses mitral stenosis. Pressure measurements are mandatory prior to balloon mitral valvuloplasty. Heart rate and cardiac output have to be considered while evaluating pressure gradients. Mean pressure gradient as measured by cardiac catheterization closely approximate to that measured by Doppler examination. Mitral valve area is calculated using Gorlin's formula from the cardiac catheterization tracings.