[Use of exercise tests and echocardiography during long-term observation of patients with mitral stenosis and cardiac insufficiency].

Findings of echocardiography and bicycle exercise testing were considered objective hemodynamic criteria during long-term follow-up studies of patients with mitral stenosis and early stages of cardiac insufficiency. In patients with the first degree cardiac insufficiency the most sensitive parameters were: exercise tolerance, physical adaptation index and left atrial size. In patients with the second A degree cardiac insufficiency additional information has also been obtained upon studying the ejection fraction and the rate of left ventricular circular shortening.