Impressive echocardiographic images of a rare pathology: Aneurysm of the mitral valve - Report of two cases and review of the literature

J Saudi Heart Assoc. 2013 Jan;25(1):47-51. doi: 10.1016/j.jsha.2012.11.002. Epub 2012 Nov 24.

Abstract

Aneurysm of the mitral valve (AMV) is rarely reported. The etiology of this unusual pathology is commonly attributed to aortic valve endocarditis (AVE) with aortic regurgitation (AR) or connective tissue disease. We present two recent cases of AMV with good correlation between pre-operative trans-esophageal echocardiography (TEE), intra-operative real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3D-Echo) and surgical findings. The importance of diligent surveillance by TEE in patients with AVE for occurrence of AMV is emphasized. The literature on this topic is briefly reviewed.

Keywords: Aneurysm; Aortic valve endocarditis; Mitral valve; Real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography; Trans-esophageal echocardiography.