Chapter 16

    The congenital malformation of the mitral valve is rather unusual and consists of stenosis of the valve, mitral insufficiency or a combination of both.
    Frequent cleft mitral valve leaflets and abnormal attachment of the leaflets are also reported in this entry.
    There is a rather common association of these malformations with endocardial fibroelastosis. Other congenitals which can be occasionally seen in association with mitral valve disease are aortic stenosis, coarctation of the aorta and patent ductus arteriosus.
    The clinical picture in general does not differ much from the one given by the acquired mitral valve diseases due to rheumatic fever. The cardiomegaly, in any event, appears in an earlier stage with early congestive failure, pulmonary hypertension, etc.
    The surgical treatment is similar to the one for patients with acquired mitral stenosis or mitral insufficiency. In cases of cleft mitral leaflets, suturing of the mitral leaflet can be performed.

ECHOCARDIOGRAM

    In the adult patient the procedure is excellent in assessing congenital mitral stenosis and mitral prolapse.
    In mitral atresia, mitral valve echoes will not be found and the left ventricle will show hypoplasia.