[Noninvasive assessment of the function of the lesser circulation and of the right heart in mitral stenosis].

Functional status of the pulmonary circulation network and the right compartments of the heart was assessed by two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography at rest and under isometric stress (handgrip with both hands) in 36 patients with varying degrees of mitral stenosis. An early stage of the condition is characterized by hyper-reactivity of the pulmonary circulation vessels as well as intact right-ventricular contractility. Hypertensive response of the pulmonary circulation vessels in combination with inadequately small increase in right-ventricular contractility are suggestive of an early stage of right-ventricular heart failure.