Q. Explain Natural History of Mitral Stenosis ?
Untreated, mitral stenosis is a serious disease with observed 10-year mortality of 70-80 per cent in symptomatic patients. By 20 years virtually nobody survives. About 60 per cent die of progressive heart failure and about 20 per cent die of thrombo embolic complications. Mean survival drops to less than three years in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension. Younger asymptomatic patients or those with minimal symptoms, sinus rhythm and mild mitral stenosis have a better prognosis. However, even in these patients symptoms deteriorate in more than 50 per cent of patients over next 10 years. Though no formal studies are available treatment has significantly altered this natural history.