Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery
Vol.27 No.5 2011 (220-226)
Yuki Ozawa1）, Yosuke Murakami1）, Tsugutoshi Suzuki1）, Eiji Ehara1）, Yoichi Kawahira2）, and Kyoichi Nishigaki2）
Department of 1）Pediatric Cardiology, 2）Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery, Osaka City General Hospital, Osaka, Japan
Abstract
Acute mitral valve regurgitation due to idiopathic chordal rupture occurs suddenly in individuals without any prior medical history and rapidly progresses to severe heart failure. Furthermore, only a few reports of this condition in children are present. Case 1: A five-month-old boy presented at our hospital with tachypnea and vomiting, both of which began suddenly, and loss of appetite. He was found to have a heart murmur, and mitral valve regurgitation caused by chordal rupture was diagnosed. His heart failure was controlled by drug therapy, and no surgery was required. Case 2: A four-month-old boy was admitted to our hospital with tachypnea and vomiting, both of which began suddenly, cyanosis, and loss of appetite. Mitral valve regurgitation caused by chordal rupture was diagnosed. His heart failure progressed rapidly despite intensive care. His ruptured chord was reconstructed on the sixth day of illness. After additional annuloplasty, his condition improved and he was discharged. Although there have been few reports of this condition in children from other countries, 39 cases (2-9 month olds) have been reported in Japan from 2003 to 2010, including our cases. Here, we review 27 cases for which detailed information is available.