Evaluation of heart function is of importance in assessing the results of valvular heart surgery. Information on volume and functional change of heart chamber can be obtained by cardiac catheterization and echocardiography. We studied 41 patients with mitral stenosis[MS] and 23 patients with mitral regurgitation[MR] using M-mode echocardiography before and after mitral valve replacement[MVR] at Pusan Paik Hospital. Preoperative cardiac catheterization was available in 56 cases, and the results were obtained as follows. 1. In patients with MS, preoperative average LV end-diastolic dimension[EDD] and end-systolic dimension[ESD] were remained within normal range, but postoperative EDD and ESD were significantly decreased[P<0.01]. The preoperative and postoperative LV ejection fraction[EF] were remained within the normal range and no significant change[P>0.05]. The preoperative left atrial dimension[LAD] was enlarged considerably above normal[P<0.01], but was significantly decreased after surgery[P<0.001]. The preoperative LV posterior wall thickness[PWTh] was within normal range, and no significant change after surgery[P>0.05]. 2. In patients with MR, preoperative average end-diastolic dimension[EDD] and end-systolic dimension[ESD] were significantly greater than normal[P<005], but postoperative EDD and ESD were significantly decreased[P<0.01]. The preoperative LV ejection fraction[EF] and fractional shortening[FS] were within normal range, and no significant change after surgery[P>0.05].The preoperative left atrial dimension[LAD] was enlarged considerably above normal [P<0.01], but was significantly decreased after surgery[P<0.001].The preoperative LV posterior wall thickness[PWTh] was within normal range, and no significant change after surgery[P>0.05].