Assessment of Exercise Capacity, Muscle Oxygenation and Aortic Stiffness in Patients With Mitral Stenosis

Heart valve diseases are the most common cause of mortality and morbidity after coronary artery disease, hypertension, and heart failure. In patients with mitral stenosis, the narrowed valve restricts blood flow, causing symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, exertional dyspnea, orthopnea, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. These patients may experience decreased exercise capacity and physical activity levels, deterioration in quality of life, and deterioration in respiratory function. When reviewing the literature, we see that the study groups evaluating these factors are generally not homogeneous, and most studies conducted in patients with mitral stenosis evaluate patients who have undergone percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty.