Mitral stenosis in childhood and adolescence--a study of 45 cases and their surgical management.

Closed mitral valvotomy was performed in 45 subjects with rheumatic mitral stenosis. There were 22 males and 23 females with an age range from 4.5 to 20 years. The majority of the patients presented with dyspnoea and palpitations, and 79.92% were in the New York Heart Association functional class IV. Fairly good results were noted in almost all the patients in the immediate post-operative period and on follow-up. There were two deaths, one immediately after the operation and the other after 6 months. Surviving patients are receiving rheumatic fever prophylaxis.