Echocardiographic assessment of mitral stenosis: echocardiographic features of rheumatic mitral stenosis.

Echocardiography (echo) is the primary imaging modality for rheumatic mitral stenosis. Portable echo devices are a useful tool for early identification and treatment of rheumatic heart disease, and prevention of chronic sequelae. The salient echo data are mitral valvular morphology, valve area, transmitral gradient, pulmonary hypertension, and concomitant valvular disease. Apart from its diagnostic role, echo aids assessment of patient candidacy for percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty versus surgery. Baseline echocardiographic features are strong independent predictors of procedural success and long-term outcome. Evolving technology such as 3-dimensional echo has the potential to improve the understanding and management of this globally relevant disease.