Clinical Case Portal

Ruptured and elongated mitral valve chordae

Date of publication:

20 Oct 2009

Topics:

Echocardiography (Non-invasive imaging)
Non-invasive imaging: Echocardiography, MR/CT, Nuclear
Valvular Heart Diseases

Authors:

Garbi, Madalina

Authors details:

Contact:

Dr Madalina Garbi, Consultant Cardiologist, Echocardiography Head,
North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, Cumberland Infirmary,
Carlisle, CA3 9HU, UK

Abstract

The echocardiographic description of mitral valve myxomathous degeneration should include description of prolapse scallops distribution, commissural involvement and chordal pathology (ruptured chordae with flail leaflet segments or elongated chordae with prolapsed leaflet segments). The detailed description helps surgical management plans. The mitral valve "surgical view" obtained with 3D TTE cropping and postprocessing, can give the necessary information, being both a diagnostic tool and a cardiologist - cardiac surgeon communication tool. Angulated views may be needed to demonstrate chordal pathology.

Case Report

Images demonstrating both ruptured chordae and elongated chordae are shown, from patient with severe mitral regurgitation due to myxomathous degeneration, investigated in preparation for cardiac surgery.

fig. 1 :

Mitral valve "surgical view"

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fig. 2 :

Still frame mitral valve "surgical view"