Echocardiographic findings in different types of mitral regurgitation

Quantification of mitral regurgitation on cardiac computed tomography: comparison with qualitative and quantitative echocardiographic parameters

PURPOSE

To assess whether cardiac computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) can quantify the severity of chronic mitral regurgitation (MR) compared to qualitative and quantitative echocardiographic parameters.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cardiac computed tomographic angiography was performed in 23 patients (mean ± SD age, 63 ± 16 years; range, 24-86 years) with MR and 20 patients without MR (controls) as determined by transthoracic echocardiography. Multiphasic reconstructions (20 data sets reconstructed at 5% increments of the electrocardiographic gated R-R interval) were used to analyze the mitral valve. Using CCTA planimetry, 2 readers measured the regurgitant mitral orifice area (CCTA ROA) during systole. A qualitative echocardiographic assessment of severity of MR was made by visual assessment of the length of the regurgitant jet. Quantitative echocardiographic measurements included the vena contracta, proximal isovelocity surface area, regurgitant volume, and estimated regurgitant orifice (ERO). Comparisons were performed using the independent t test, and correlations were assessed using the Spearman rank test.

RESULTS

All controls and the patients with MR were correctly identified by CCTA. For patients with mild, moderate, or severe MR, mean ± SD EROs were 0.16 ± 0.03, 0.31 ± 0.08, and 0.52 ± 0.03 cm² (P < 0.0001) compared with mean ± SD CCTA ROAs 0.09 ± 0.05, 0.30 ± 0.04, and 0.97 ± 0.26 cm² (P < 0.0001), respectively. When echocardiographic measurements were graded qualitatively as mild, moderate, or severe, strong correlations were seen with CCTA ROA (R = 0.89; P < 0.001). When echocardiographic measurements were graded quantitatively, the vena contracta and the ERO showed modest correlations with CCTA ROA (0.48 and 0.50; P < 0.05 for both). Neither the proximal isovelocity surface area nor the regurgitant volume demonstrated significant correlations with CCTA ROA.

CONCLUSIONS

Single-source 64-slice CCTA provides a strong agreement with qualitative echocardiographic parameters but only a moderate correlation with quantitative echocardiographic parameters of chronic MR. Cardiac computed tomographic angiography slightly overestimates mild MR while slightly underestimating severe MR.

Chronic mitral regurgitation detected on cardiac MDCT: differentiation between functional and valvular aetiologies

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether cardiac computed tomography (MDCT) can differentiate between functional and valvular aetiologies of chronic mitral regurgitation (MR) compared with echocardiography (TTE).

METHODS

Twenty-seven patients with functional or valvular MR diagnosed by TTE and 19 controls prospectively underwent cardiac MDCT. The morphological appearance of the mitral valve (MV) leaflets, MV geometry, MV leaflet angle, left ventricular (LV) sphericity and global/regional wall motion were analysed. The coronary arteries were evaluated for obstructive atherosclerosis.

RESULTS

All control and MR cases were correctly identified by MDCT. Significant differences were detected between valvular and control groups for anterior leaflet length (30 +/- 7 mm vs. 22 +/- 4 mm, P < 0.02) and thickness (3.0 +/- 1 mm vs. 2.2 +/- 1 mm, P < 0.01). High-grade coronary stenosis was detected in all patients with functional MR compared with no controls (P < 0.001). Significant differences in those with/without MV prolapse were detected in MV tent area (-1.0 +/- 0.6 mm vs. 1.3 +/- 0.9 mm, P < 0.0001) and MV tent height (-0.7 +/- 0.3 mm vs. 0.8 +/- 0.8 mm, P < 0.0001). Posterior leaflet angle was significantly greater for functional MR (37.9 +/- 19.1 degrees vs. 22.9 +/- 14 degrees , P < 0.018) and less for valvular MR (0.6 +/- 35.5 degrees vs. 22.9 +/- 14 degrees, P < 0.017). Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of MDCT were 100%, 95%, 96% and 100%.

CONCLUSION

Cardiac MDCT allows the differentiation between functional and valvular causes of MR.

Echocardiographic findings in ventricular septal rupture and anterior wall aneurysm complicating myocardial infarction

Echocardiographic findings in a patient with ventricular septal rupture and anterolateral wall aneurysm complicating myocardial infarction are presented. The findings were confirmed by cardiac catheterization and surgery. Using M-mode ultrasonocardiography one was able to demonstrate and localize the aneurysm as well as the ventricular septal defect which presented as an oblique interventricular communication appearing only during systole. Thus echocardiography supplemented the invasive examinations in exactly revealing the site of ventricular septal rupture. Other echocardiographic features of ventricular septal rupture were right ventricular dilatation, pathological septal motion and abnormal tricuspid valve motion as recently reported by other authors.

High occurrence of mitral valve prolapse in cardiac catheterization patients with pure isolated mitral regurgitation

The aetiological spectrum of angiographically verified pure isolated mitral regurgitation (MR) was studied in 48 consecutive adult patients (35 males). Severe MR was found in 35 patients (73%) and moderate MR in 13 patients (27%). Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) syndrome was found in 21 patients (44%). These were younger than the rest of the study population (55 +/- 13 vs. 62 +/- 6 years, p less than 0.05) and 15 (71%) of them were men. Endocarditis and chordal rupture occurred in 19% and 43% of the MVP patients. Sixteen patients (33%) had MR secondary to myocardial infarction while only three patients (6%) had MR of rheumatic aetiology. Bacterial endocarditis, hypertensive heart disease, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and mitral annulus calcification were less frequently found. Mitral valve replacement was done in 20 (57%) of the patients with severe MR and MVP was the underlying disease in 15 (75%) of these patients. In conclusion, MVP is a frequent cause of pure isolated MR and of mitral valve replacement. In contrast to the preponderance of young females amongst MVP patients in population surveys, most of the MVP patients with MR in this study are middle-aged and elderly men.

Usefulness of multiaxis echocardiography in assessment of the left ventricle in ischemic heart disease. A review

Echoventriculography, a multiaxis M-mode echocardiographic technique, was developed to examine in detail the regional wall motions of the left ventricle. The basic technical aspects and limitations are described, and experience is reviewed on 263 healthy subjects or patients with ischaemic heart disease. The reliability in detecting site and size of asynergic segments was excellent as related to electrocardiographic and thallium scintigraphic sites of acute infarction, and with left ventricular cineangiograms in chronic coronary heart disease. The correlation with pathologic anatomic size of infarct in 24 consecutive patients was r = 0.88 (p less than 0.001) when expressed by a percentage of the left ventricular horizontal circumference. 94% of 111 infarcted segments were correctly detected by echo; only the posteroseptal and the most lateral regions remain out of the methodological range. The method separated old infarct scars from fresh necrosis. Decreasing echo contraction index correlated with increasing severity of coronary obstructions in 43 patients studied for coronary artery surgery. In 15 infarct patients the M-mode technique was more sensitive than two-dimensional echocardiography in recording asynergic segments or endocardial echoes. The multiple segmental echoventriculographic index decreased parallel with clinical severity of acute infarction (r = -0.79, p less than 0.001; 30 patients). There was a 88% (p less than 0.01) concordance between the reduction of the ST segments (-30%) and the recovery of the mechanical function in the ischaemic myocardial segments (+26%) after beta blockade with pindolol in 22 patients with acute infarction. Methylprednisolone showed no improvement. With dopamine the left ventricular size decreased markedly (p less than 0.0005). Echoventriculography thus seems to be very informative in evaluation of chronic or acute left ventricular dysfunction, despite the rather demanding nature of the technique in practice.

The flail mitral valve: echocardiographic findings by precordial and transesophageal imaging and Doppler color flow mapping

To determine the echocardiographic and Doppler characteristics of mitral regurgitation associated with a flail mitral valve, precordial and transesophageal echocardiography with pulsed wave and Doppler color flow mapping was performed in 17 patients with a flail mitral valve leaflet due to ruptured chordae tendineae (Group I) and 22 patients with moderate or severe mitral regurgitation due to other causes (Group II). Echocardiograms were performed before or during cardiac surgery; cardiac catheterization was also performed in 28 patients (72%). Mitral valve disease was confirmed at cardiac surgery in all patients. By echocardiography, the presence of a flail mitral valve leaflet was defined by the presence of abnormal mitral leaflet coaptation or ruptured chordae. Using these criteria, transesophageal imaging showed a trend toward greater sensitivity and specificity than precordial imaging in the diagnosis of flail mitral valve leaflet. By Doppler color flow mapping, a flail mitral valve leaflet was also characterized by an eccentric, peripheral, circular mitral regurgitant jet that closely adhered to the walls of the left atrium. The direction of flow of the eccentric jet in the left atrium distinguished a flail anterior from a flail posterior leaflet. By transesophageal echocardiography with Doppler color flow mapping, the ratio of mitral regurgitant jet arc length to radius of curvature was significantly higher in Group I than Group II patients (5.0 +/- 2.3 versus 0.7 +/- 0.6, p less than 0.001); all of the Group I patients and none of the Group II patients had a ratio greater than 2.5.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Direct visualization of ruptured chordae tendineae by transesophageal two-dimensional echocardiography

To determine the value of transesophageal echocardiography in the detection of ruptured chordae tendineae, 28 patients who had surgical therapy for pure mitral regurgitation were evaluated prospectively by conventional transthoracic and transesophageal two-dimensional echocardiography. Seventeen patients (Group I) had ruptured chordae tendineae and 11 (Group II) had intact chordae tendineae. Transthoracic echocardiography detected ruptured chordae tendineae in 6 patients from Group I (sensitivity 35%) and flail leaflets in 11 patients from Group I (sensitivity 65%). Transesophageal echocardiography disclosed ruptured chordae tendineae in all 17 Group I patients (sensitivity 100%); the sensitivity was significantly higher than that of transthoracic echocardiography. No abnormal chordal echoes were visualized in any patient from Group II by either transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiography (specificity 100%). Transesophageal echocardiography is a highly sensitive method for detecting ruptured chordae tendineae and is superior to transthoracic echocardiography in establishing its diagnosis.

Reliability of M-mode, two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography in diagnosing a flail mitral valve leaflet

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the M-mode, two-dimensional, and Doppler echocardiographic signs for a flail mitral valve leaflet. This was a retrospective evaluation of 54 patients who had (1) significant mitral regurgitation, (2) a technically adequate echocardiographic study, and (3) description of valve anatomy done at surgery or necropsy. The following M-mode signs were examined for their ability to detect a flail valve: (1) systolic flutter of the mitral valve closure line, sensitivity 29%, specificity 76%; (2) abnormal diastolic posterior leaflet motion, sensitivity 73%, specificity 71%; (3) abnormal diastolic anterior leaflet motion, sensitivity 67%, specificity 86%; (4) systolic atrial echoes, sensitivity 28%, specificity 68%; (5) multiple independent systolic closure lines, sensitivity 71%, specificity 52%. The two-dimensional echocardiographic signs evaluated were (1) diastolic inversion of the anterior leaflet toward the left atrium, sensitivity 29%, specificity 96%; (2) diastolic inversion of the posterior leaflet toward the left atrium, sensitivity 54%, specificity 93%, (3) systolic inversion of the anterior leaflet into the left atrium, sensitivity 57%, specificity 93%; (4) systolic inversion of the posterior leaflet into the left atrium, sensitivity 79%, specificity 86%; (5) systolic whipping of the mitral leaflets, sensitivity 73%, specificity 74%; (6) presence of floating apical chordae, sensitivity 30%, specificity 91%. Doppler echocardiographic signs evaluated were (1) presence of left atrial systolic antegrade flow, sensitivity 30%, specificity 91%; (2) vertical striations superimposed on the typical regurgitant flow pattern, sensitivity 75%, specificity 69%. When all the two-dimensional signs except systolic whipping and the M-mode signs for abnormal diastolic leaflet motion were combined, the sensitivity for detecting a flail mitral valve was maximized at 97%, but specificity was reduced to 64%. In conclusion, two-dimensional echocardiographic signs are more sensitive and specific than either M-mode or Doppler signs for detecting a flail mitral valve. The various M-mode, two-dimensional, and Doppler echocardiographic signs, however, are complementary to each other, and sensitivity is maximized when they are combined.

Mitral-septal angle: a new two-dimensional echocardiographic index of left ventricular performance

The diagnostic value of a new two-dimensional echocardiographic measurement, the mitral septal angle, was evaluated as an index of left ventricular (LV) function in 122 patients. Their mean age was 56.5 years and the majority (80%) suffered from coronary artery disease, 46 with an acute myocardial infarction. Mitral septal angle was easily and reproducibly measured. An ejection fraction (EF) of greater than or equal to 50% and an angle less than or equal to 30 degrees were used as normal cut-off values. A strong negative correlation was found between the angle and radionuclide EF (-0.821) and angiographic EF (-0.82) in patients without acute myocardial infarction. For patients with acute myocardial infarction, the correlation was -0.722. For the entire group, the correlation coefficient was -0.742. In patients without acute infarction, the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive accuracy of the mitral septal angle were 92%, 86%, and 89%, respectively. In acute infarction, sensitivity dropped to 70% without change in specificity (89%). We conclude that mitral septal angle is a simple index of LV function which relates well to EF, particularly in patients with chronic heart disease.

Clinical and echocardiographic features of isolated severe pure mitral regurgitation

Recent studies have shown that rheumatic heart disease is no longer the main cause of isolated severe pure mitral regurgitation. In this study, we evaluated various clinical and echocardiographic features found in the syndrome of mitral regurgitation. Our data is consistent with recent reports that mitral valve prolapse and coronary artery disease are now the predominant causes of mitral regurgitation and that rheumatic heart disease is a much less common etiology. In addition, our data suggest that clinical evaluation alone is usually very accurate in identifying the correct etiology. Various clinical and echocardiographic features found in the subsets of acute and chronic mitral regurgitation are described. Specifically, patients with acute mitral regurgitation were more likely to have echocardiographic evidence of segmental left ventricular dysfunction and flail mitral valve leaflet. In chronic mitral regurgitation, atrial fibrillation and left atrial dilatation were more commonly present. Echocardiography was found to be more useful in the detection of the complications of coronary artery disease rather than in identifying its presence. Patients with a New York Heart Association classification of IV and those with echocardiographic evidence of an increased left ventricular endsystolic dimension or left ventricular hypertrophy had a worse prognosis.

Left atrial size, pressure, and V wave height in patients with isolated, severe, pure mitral regurgitation

In recent years, some concepts regarding the etiology and hemodynamics present in the syndrome of mitral regurgitation have changed. Coronary artery disease and mitral valve prolapse have replaced rheumatic heart disease as the most frequent cause of mitral regurgitation. Hemodynamic studies have shown that tall V waves in the pulmonary capillary wedge tracings are neither specific nor sensitive in detecting the presence of mitral regurgitation. In this study, we evaluated the role of various clinical, echocardiographic, and hemodynamic findings with regard to left atrial (LA) size, pressure, and V wave height. We found that the mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCW) and V wave height for the subset of patients with acute mitral regurgitation (PCW = 24.1 +/- 10.9; V = 41.2 +/- 20.7 mm Hg) was similar to the subset with chronic mitral regurgitation (PCW = 17.9 +/- 7.5; V = 32.0 +/- 18.2 mm Hg). In addition, we found that there was a significant logarithmic relationship between the LA size and the duration of the mitral regurgitation (y = 1.404 [log X] + 3.948; R = 0.678; p less than 0.0005). Lastly, we found that LA size, compliance, regurgitant volume, and regurgitant valve orifice area all increase with time.

Frequency and significance of M-mode echocardiographic evidence of mitral valve prolapse in clinically isolated pure mitral regurgitation: analysis of 65 patients having mitral valve replacement

To assess the reliability of M-mode echocardiographic patterns of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) (echo MVP) in detection of morphologic evidence of MVP (morphologic MVP), operatively excised mitral valves and corresponding M-mode echocardiograms from 65 patients with chronic, severe, isolated, pure mitral regurgitation (MR) were studied. Of the 65 patients, 45 (69%) had echo MVP (either holosystolic or mid-to-late systolic prolapse patterns on preoperative M-mode echograms) and 42 (93%) of them had morphologic MVP; of the 3 without morphologic MVP, 2 had ruptured chordae tendineae from infective endocarditis and 1 had papillary muscle dysfunction from atherosclerotic coronary heart disease. Of the 20 patients without echo MVP, 14 (70%) had no morphologic MVP (9 had papillary muscle dysfunction from coronary heart disease, 4 had infective endocarditis on previous normal valves and 1 had rheumatic heart disease). Of the 48 patients with morphologic MVP, 42 (88%) had echo MVP and most had considerably dilated mitral anulae; the other 6 had ruptured chordae tendineae with less degrees of anular dilatation. Of the 17 patients without morphologic MVP, 3 had echo MVP (coronary artery disease in 1 and infective endocarditis on a previous normal valve in 2); of the 14 with neither echo nor morphologic MVP, 9 had papillary muscle dysfunction from coronary artery disease, 4 had infective endocarditis on previously normal valves and 1 had rheumatic heart disease. The patients with very dilated mitral anuli and leaflet areas generally had holosystolic (hammocking) patterns on echo; the patients with small anuli and leaflet areas usually had mid-to-late systolic (buckling) prolapse patterns.

Assessment of left atrial dimensions by cross sectional echocardiography in patients with mitral valve disease

Left atrial dimensions were measured using cross sectional echocardiography in 37 patients with mitral valve disease and 30 normal subjects of similar ages. The anteroposterior (AP), superior-inferior (SI), and medial-lateral (ML) left atrial dimensions were determined at the end of ventricular systole using parasternal long and short axis and apical four chamber views (for SIa and MLa). To assess the reliability of these measurements cross sectional echocardiographic and angiographic left atrial volumes were compared in 19 patients with mitral valve disease, giving an excellent correlation. A moderate correlation was found between the anteroposterior dimension of the left atrium obtained using M mode echocardiography and that obtained using the parasternal short axis and long axis projections. In normal subjects a good correlation was found between SI and ML dimensions, while a lower correlation was found between SI and AP, and ML and AP dimensions. The SI dimension was the major axis of the left atrium and AP dimension the minor axis. In patients with mitral valve disease a good correlation was found between SI and ML dimensions, while SI and ML dimensions had a low correlation with AP dimensions. The AP dimension was the minor axis of the left atrium, while the SI and ML dimensions were not significantly different. All left atrial dimensions were significantly greater in patients with mitral valve disease than in normal subjects. Of 30 patients with at least one dimension increased, all three dimensions were abnormal in 16, two dimensions were increased in 10, and only one dimension was increased in four. AP, SI, and ML dimensions were abnormal in 25, 20, and 27 patients, respectively. Cross sectional echocardiography may provide a reliable estimate of left atrial dimensions. In patients with mitral valve disease a thorough examination of the left atrium using multiple cross sectional views is necessary to detect asymmetric left atrial enlargement and to measure the degree of left atrial dilatation.

Conduction disturbances related to the site and severity of mitral anular calcification: a 2-dimensional echocardiographic and electrocardiographic correlative study

To investigate an apparent association of mitral anular calcium (MAC) and electrocardiographic abnormalities, the relation between location of 2-dimensional (2-D) echo-quantified MAC and conduction disturbances was studied in 140 patients with MAC (MAC group) and in 135 age- and sex-matched patients without MAC (control group). The MAC group was subclassified regarding site and severity of calcium in the mitral anulus. The site of MAC was defined as Type I, near the primary conduction system--MAC located in the medial segment and/or extending to the anterior mitral leaflet; and Type II--MAC located at the central and/or lateral segments away from the primary conduction system. The severity of MAC was graded on 2-D echocardiography as mild (localized within 1 segment) and moderate to severe (greater than 1 segment). Seven patients with MAC, and only 1 control subject, had pacemakers in place. Conduction disturbances were present in 44 (31%) of 140 patients with MAC, and in 37 (27%) of 135 control patients (difference not significant). But there were more conduction disturbances in patients with Type I MAC (53%) than in those with Type II MAC (26%) (p less than 0.01). Specifically, complete left bundle branch block and intraventricular conduction delay were more prevalent when MAC was near the conduction system. Conduction disturbances also were more prevalent in patients with Type I MAC than in the control group: intraventricular conduction delay (Type I, 12% versus control, 4%; p less than 0.05) and total conduction disturbances (53 versus 28%; p less than 0.01). These data suggest that moderate to severe degrees of MAC located near the conduction system are associated with conduction disturbances, especially intraventricular conduction delay.

The prevalence of ruptured chordae tendineae in the mitral valve prolapse syndrome

Echocardiographic studies were performed on 134 consecutive patients with idiopathic mitral valve prolapse syndrome. Fifteen patients (11.2%) were noted to have ruptured chordae tendineae on M-mode examination and in 12 of them the diagnosis was confirmed by bidimensional studies. Only four patients were referred for surgery as a result of severe mitral regurgitation. At operation one patient was found to have rupture of the anterior mitral chorda and the other three had posterior mitral chordal rupture. Eleven patients with chordal rupture had either mild symptoms or were completely asymptomatic. It is concluded that chordal rupture in patients with the mitral valve prolapse syndrome does not always result in severe hemodynamic deterioration and may go undetected unless a high index of suspicion is maintained. Serial echocardiographic studies may reveal the natural history of this condition in asymptomatic patients.

Detection and estimation of rheumatic mitral regurgitation in the presence of mitral stenosis by pulsed Doppler echocardiography

The sensitivity and specificity of pulsed Doppler echocardiography (PDE) in diagnosis and estimation of the severity of mitral regurgitation in the presence of rheumatic mitral stenosis was studied in 34 patients (18 women and 16 men) ranging in age from 33 to 70 years (mean 55). Definitive diagnosis of mitral regurgitation was confirmed in all patients by angiography and in 20 patients also by indicator dilution technique. Mitral regurgitation was detected by PDE in all patients with angiographically proven severe mitral regurgitation and in 7 of 8 patients with moderate mitral regurgitation. In patients with trace to mild mitral regurgitation, PDE was positive in only 7 of 13 patients. When subdivided for mild, moderate and severe mitral regurgitation, PDE sensitivity for diagnosis was 54, 88, and 100%, respectively; overall accuracy was 79% and specificity was 100%. Average systolic dispersion on time-interval histogram was 59% for mild, 89% for moderate, and 100% for severe mitral regurgitation. Groups of patients with mild mitral regurgitation could be differentiated from those with moderate (p less than 0.05) and severe (p less than 0.01) mitral regurgitation. A significant overlap of individual values, however, occurred. In 7 of 11 patients with moderate to severe mitral regurgitation, systolic turbulence also was detected in the left atrium. PDE was sensitive and specific in diagnosing moderate to severe mitral regurgitation in the presence of mitral stenosis. Assessment of precise severity of mitral regurgitation is still a problem in individual patients.

Mitral valve E point-septal separation as an index of left ventricular function with valvular heart disease

Echocardiographic mitral valve E point-septal separation (EPSS) has been found to be a useful hemodynamic index. Prior studies have shown a high negative correlation between EPSS and left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) in selected patients, but the utility of this index with valvular heart disease has not been examined in detail. Cardiac catheterization and M-mode echocardiographic data were retrospectively analyzed from 30 patients with aortic stenosis, 18 patients with chronic aortic regurgitation, and 25 patients with chronic mitral regurgitation. For aortic stenosis patients (including those with coronary artery disease), an excellent correlation (r = -0.89, p less than 0.001) was observed between EPSS and angiographic EF. More modest correlations were noted for patients with aortic regurgitation (r = -0.58, p less than 0.01) and mitral regurgitation (r = -0.63, p less than 0.001). For patients with aortic regurgitation, correlation improved to r = -0.83 by excluding subjects with marked (greater than 4 mm) fluttering of the anterior mitral valve leaflet. For patients with mitral regurgitation, the EPSS-EF correlation improved to r = -0.72 after excluding patients with atrial fibrillation. Compared with other echocardiographic indices of left ventricular function (percent shortening of the minor diameter or echo-derived EF), the EPSS demonstrated an equivalent or superior correlation with angiographic EF for each valvular lesion studied. We conclude that EPSS is a highly reliable index of left ventricular function with aortic stenosis, but its utility in unselected patients with chronic mitral or aortic regurgitation is limited.

Statistical comparison of M mode and two dimensional echocardiographic diagnosis of flail mitral leaflets

Forty-five patients who had surgical therapy for pure mitral insufficiency were evaluated prospectively with both M mode and two dimensional echocardiography; 26 patients (Group I) had a flail mitral valve leaflet, and 19 patients (Group II) had intact chordae tendineae. The M mode echocardiographic criteria of a flail valve (systolic left atrial echoes, systolic mitral valve flutter, diastolic mitral flutter and chaotic paradoxic diastolic posterior leaflet motion) were compared statistically with the two dimensional echocardiographic criterion (loss of systolic leaflet coaptation). The presence of one M mode echocardiographic finding had a sensitivity of 60 percent, a specificity of 53 percent, a predictive accuracy of 63 percent and a predictive value of 50 percent. The sensitivity (96 percent), specificity (84 percent), predictive accuracy (89 percent) and predictive value (94 percent) of the two dimensional echocardiogram were statistically superior to those of the M mode study (p less than 0.05 or better for each criterion). Thus, two dimensional echocardiography is distinctly superior to M mode echocardiography in the diagnosis of flail mitral valve leaflets.

M mode and cross-sectional echocardiographic features of flail posterior mitral leaflets

Seventeen patients with accepted M mode echocardiographic criteria for flail mitral leaflet were studied. M mode echocardiograms revealed characteristic disordered mitral valve motion: (1) 16 (94 percent) had chaotic diastolic mitral motion; (2) 14 (82 percent) had systolic mitral flutter; (3) 14 (82 percent) had systolic left atrial echoes; and (4) 12 (71 percent) had systolic mitral valve prolapse. In 8 patients (47 percent) all four findings were present, with three findings present in 16 (35 percent) and two findings present in 13 (18 percent); none had fewer than two findings. Cross-sectional echocardiographic studies in 10 patients revealed a systolic whipping motion of the posterior mitral leaflet into the left atrium in all, abnormal systolic mitral coaptation in all and an abnormal mass of systolic left atrial echoes in 4. None of the first three M mode criteria were observed in 230 patients with uncomplicated "mid systolic click-late systolic murmur" syndrome; cross-sectional echocardiography in 30 of 230 patients revealed normal systolic mitral coaptation and no systolic whipping of the tip of the posterior mitral leaflet into the left atrium.

Abnormal mitral valve motion associated with ventricular septal defect following acute myocardial infarction

It is often difficult to make the clinical distinction between acute mitral regurgitation caused by papillary muscle dysfunction or rupture and ventricular septal defect complicating an acute myocardial infarction. A case of a patient with rapidly progressive congestive heart failure and a loud murmur is presented. Echocardiography strongly suggested the presence of a flail posterior mitral leaflet. However, the patient was subsequently found to have rupture of the interventricular septum. This diagnosis was made with bedside right heart catheterization and was later confirmed by left ventriculography and direct inspection at the time of surgery. The mitral valve apparatus was completely normal. Thus this case demonstrates the apparent lack of specificity of the accepted echocardiographic criteria for flail mitral leaflet and acutely ruptured interventricular septum, and the potential necessity of cardiac catheterization to distinguish between these entities.

Calcification of the mitral annulus: etiology, clinical associations, complications and therapy

This report reviews the clinical features of 80 patients with roentgenographically proved mitral annular calcification. The mean age of the group was 73 years, and there was a 2.5 to 1 female to male ratio. Evaluation for underlying cardiovascular disease revealed six patients with severe calcific valvular aortic stenosis; five patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, 11 with mitral prolapse and 33 with significant arterial hypertension (blood pressure greater or equal to 150/96 mm Hg). Eighty-five per cent of the group (68 of 80 patients) had an underlying cardiac disorder associated with either chronically increased left ventricular systolic pressure or abnormal leaflet motion. Other cardiovascular abnormalities occurring as complications secondary to the mitral ring calcification included subacute bacterial endocarditis (three cases), arterial emboli (five episodes) and high grade atrioventricular block (16 cases). Twelve patients had severe mitral regurgitation; successful mitral valve replacement was carried out in four patients (all with myxomatous mitral tissue). Evidence of diffuse conduction system disease, not limited to the area of the cardiac fibrous skeleton, was found frequently (44 patients). Nine patients had sinus node dysfunction and 35 patients had electrocardiographic evidence of distal intraventricular (fascicular) block. Twenty-one patients eventually required pacemakers for management of symptomatic bradyarrhythmias. Atrial fibrillation was present in 23 patients. In this review it was found that calcification of the mitral annulus is frequently associated with or induces serious cardiovascular disease. Since some of these disorders may be modified by appropriate therapy, calcification of the mitral annulus should no longer be ignored as a benign marker of the elderly heart.

Incidence of ruptured chordae tendineae in the mitral valvular prolapse syndrome: an echocardiographic study

Echocardiographic studies were performed in 190 consecutive patients with mitral valvular prolapse. All patients had either midsystolic posterior motion of the mitral valve or holosystolic hammock-like movement of the valve in systole. Thirteen patients (7 percent) were noted to have ruptured chordae tendineae. In four patients, a combination of abnormalities was observed. Five patients had clinical and bacteriologic evidence of infective endocarditis, two of whom had severe intractable pulmonary edema consequent to acute mitral regurgitation which required mitral valvular replacement. At surgery, one of these patients had ruptured chordae tendineae to both leaflets, and the other had chordal rupture of the posterior leaflet. The other patients probably had spontaneous rupture of the chordae tendineae. A spectrum of clinical findings was noted. Six patients had marked mitral regurgitation, while two had isolated systolic clicks. Thus, chordal rupture does not always result in severe hemodynamic deterioration. Serial echocardiographic studies will be of value in studying the natural history and progression of disease in patients with chordal rupture.

Cross-sectional echocardiographic spectrum of papillary muscle dysfunction

Cross-sectional echocardiography identified two abnormal patterns of mitral valve closure in 14 patients with mitral regurgitation due to papillary muscle dysfunction: (1) in three patients with an akinetic inferior-posterior wall but normal cavity size, papillary muscle fibrosis was associated with late systolic mitral valve prolapse, and (2) in nine patients with ventricular dilatation or ventricular aneurysm, the point of mitral valve coaptation was displaced towards the apex of the left ventricle. In two of these patients both abnormalities were observed. In contrast, abnormal patterns were identified in only four of a group of 40 patients without angiographic evidence of mitral regurgitation (10, normal; 27, coronary artery disease; three, congestive cardiomyopathy). Thus, cross-sectional echocardiography can be useful to identify mitral regurgitation secondary to papillary muscle dysfunction.

The role of cross-sectional echocardiography in the diagnosis of flail mitral leaflet

Cross-sectional echocardiography was performed on two patients with mitral regurgitation in whom M-mode echocardiographic findings were not specific for the etiology of mitral regurgitation. In one patient, flail motion of the free edge of the anterior mitral leaflet into the left atrium was demonstrated only by cross-sectional echocardiograms. In the second patient, the flail posterior mitral leaflet was suggested to be a result of bacterial endocarditis. Cross-sectional echocardiograms clearly identified a flail motion of a mass of vegetation attached to the posterior mitral leaflet. Thus, cross-sectional echocardiography can provide critical information in recognizing patients with a flail mitral leaflet.

Systolic flutter of the mitral valve

Systolic flutter of the mitral valve was observed in 11 cases during the past 3-1/2 years. All patients had mitral regurgitation due to mitral valve prolapse or flail leaflets, and nine of the 11 (82%) had prior or concurrent bacterial endocarditis. Systolic flutter is uncommon in the absence of endocarditis and was observed in only two of 15 patients (13%) with proven chordae tendinae or papillary muscle rupture without historical and pathological evidence of infection involving the mitral valve. Systolic flutter was also not seen in a large number of patients with mitral regurgitation due to other causes. It is postulated that the regurgitation jet of blood across the edge of a structurally abnormal but flexible mitral leaflet is important for the development of flutter.

The posterior left atrial echocardiogram of mitral regurgitation

The motion of the posterior wall of the normal left atrium has not been studied systematically. The superoposterior portion of the left atrium is adynamic throughout the cardiac cycle, whereas the inferoposterior portion is displaced posteriorly with left atrial filling during ventricular systole. In the present study, the left atrial diameter (LAD), the left atrial systolic motion (LASM) and the left atrial systolic velocity (LASV), were determined in the following groups of patients: 34 normals; eight patients with either coronary artery disease or aortic stenosis; six patients with aortic insufficiency; and three patients with ventricular septal defect. The results obtained were compared to 15 patients with angiographically documented mitral regurgitation. In the last group, the LAD (4.2 +/- .19 cm) and LASV (12.3 +/- 1.23 cm) and LASM (1.2 +/- 0.4 cm) were significantly greater reflecting the early accentuated filling of the left atrium induced by mitral regurgitation. As well, the product of these three parameters was greater in the mitral regurgitation group (63.2 +/- 7.34 cm3/sec) than in the other groups and patients with mild to moderate regurgitation had a significantly lower value than those with moderate to severe regurgitation (45.7 +/- 4.1 vs 78.5 +/- 10.9, P less than 0.02). The left atrial echocardiogram, therefore, is an aid in the diagnosis of mitral regurgitation and provides a rough index of the severity of the lesion.

Mid-systolic click and mitral valve prolapse following mitral commissurotomy

Five patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis were observed to have mid-systolic clicks with murmurs of mitral regurgitation at various intervals after mitral commissurotomy. In two patients echocardiography showed an unusually rapid posterior deflection of the mitral valve coinciding exactly with a systolic nonejection click. It is speculated that the shortened, fused chordae tendineae, compromised by mitral commissurotomy, rigidly hold the valve leaflets fixed at the onset of systole. During systole, ventricular conformational changes, in the face of marginal coaptation of thickened and fibrotic mitral leaflets, allow the mitral valve to be forced abruptly towards the left atrium with great velocity. This is manifested by a loud systolic click and, in some patients, a near vertical posterior systolic deflection of the mitral valve on the echocardiogram. The systolic click may occur without echocardiographic or angiographic evidence of mitral valve prolapse. Unusually loud mid-systolic clicks can be heard in patients with rheumatic heart disease after mitral commissurotomy and may be accompanied by a distinctive echocardiographic appearance of the mitral valve.

Two-dimensional echocardiographic recognition of ruptured chordae tendineae

Real-time, phased-array, two-dimensional echocardiographic studies identified ruptured chordae tendineae in five patients: four patients had a flail mitral valve and one had flail mitral and tricuspid valves. The characteristic abnormality was a rapid systolic motion of the involved leaflet beyond the line of valve closure into the atrium. The maximal abnormal systolic motion was greatest at the tip of the leaflet with a loss of the normal coaptation point. By contrast, the two-dimensional echocardiographic feature of mitral valve prolapse is an abnormal systolic motion that is maximal in the body of the leaflet with intact leaflet coaptation. Thus, two-dimensional echocardiography can identify flail mitral and tricuspid valves and is useful in distinguishing ruptured chorade from valvular prolapse.

Echocardiographic features of mitral annulus calcification

Ten patients with roentgenographically demonstrable mitral annulus calcification (MAC) were found to have distinctive echocardiographic patterns. MAC was confirmed at the time of cardiac catheterization in six of these patients. Standard M-mode echocardiograms revealed a dense band of echoes in the region of the mitral annulus in contrast to the thin and delicate echoes generally recorded from the normal mitral annulus. Intraoperative and pathologic confirmation of thickening and calcification limited to the mitral annulus was made in two patients who underwent mitral valve replacement for severe mitral regurgitation due to myxamatous "floppy" valve. Patients with marked MAC may have coexisting aortic valve or papillary muscle calcification which can be recognized by echocardiography. Over-attenuation of left ventricular wall echoes in patients with marked MAC, and reduction in E-F slope of the anterior mitral valve leaflet in others can simulate pericardial effusion and mitral stenosis, respectively. Thus, recognition of MAC can avoid confusion with similar echocardiographic patterns due to other common cardiac abnormalities.

[Mitral valve and mitral ring movement in mitral stenosis. An ultrasonic study with different valve models (author's transl)]

We constructed three different mitral valve models in order to investigate the different mechanisms which account for the concordant opening and closing movement of the posterior compared to the anterior mitral valve in mitral stenosis. Three different types of movements are possible: a dorso-anterior movement of the mitral ring, opening and closure of the valve itself and a rotation of the entire valve apparatus. Our in-vitro studies showed that the best explanation for the concordant diastolic movement of the posterior valve is given by the assumption that during the early diastolic opening phase of the valves the whole stenotic valve apparatus is rotated upward, i.e. towards the transducer. This rotation, has a higher amplitude compared to the residual downward-oriented opening movement of the posterior valve.

Systolic mitral flutter, an echocardiographic clue to the diagnosis of ruptured chordae tendineae

A new finding of fine systolic fluttering of the mitral leaflet is described in two patients with ruptured chordae tendinease and severe mitral regurgitation. The flutter is caused by the action of high-velocity blood flow upon the leaflet margin that has lost its support. The jet stream of blood evokes a high-frequency vibratory motion of the tensed leaflet as opposed to the previously described, lower frequency, less specific, diastolic flutter. This finding was not seen in the echocardiograms of 75 patients with other forms of mitral regurgitation. Systolic flutter appears to be specific for ruptured chordae tendineae.

Clinical appraisal of current nuclear and other noninvasive cardiac diagnostic techniques

At a time of rapid increases in the cost of medical care and the application of complex invasive procedures to cardiovascular diagnosis, the use of noninvasive methods has aroused interest. This report discusses the usefulness and limitations of various noninvasive diagnostic methods including nuclear medicine techniques, echocardiography, exercise electrocardiography and determination of systolic time intervals. Emphasis is placed on the applicability of these methods to specific disease processes (such as ischemic heart disease, cardiac valve disease, pulmonary embolic disease), their relative merits, future potential and present shortcomings.

Echocardiographic abnormalities in acute rheumatic fever

The echocardiographic velocity of circumferential fiber shortening and left atrial dimension were measured serially in two groups of children with acute rheumatic fever: Group I, six patients with valve regurgitation without congestive heart failure, and Group II, seven patients with regurgitation and congestive heart failure. In Group I, the initial velocity of circumferential fiber shortening was increased to 1.90 +/- 0.31 circumferences per second (circ/sec) (mean +/- standard deviation). In group II, it was decreased (1.18+/-0.25). In group I velocity of circumferential fiber shortening subsequently decreased but remained above the normal level; in Group II it increased to exceed the expected normal value. Concurrent changes in left atrial dimension were observed in both groups. The initial left atrial dimension of Group I (2.2 +/- 0.75 cm/m2) was slightly increased and returned to normal (1.70 +/- 0.32) on follow-up study. The left atrial dimension of Group II was greatly increased initially (2.70 +/- 0.81 cm/m2) and remained large (2.50 +/- 0.67). Three patients in Group II experienced rebound during corticosteroid withdrawal. In each the velocity of circumferential fiber shortening decreased, suggesting impaired cardiac contractility. The echocardiogram thus facilitates serial assessment of the severity of carditis in acute rheumatic fever.