Study on characteristics and regularity of ruptured mitral chordae tendineae in color Doppler echocardiography

Objective: To probe into the imaging character and regularity of ruptured mitral chordae tendineae(RMCT) in color Doppler echocardiography(CDE). Methods: Thirty patients of RMCT were examined with CDE. Seven cases underwent angiocardiography. All cases were confirmed by operation. Results: Thirty cases were accurately diagnosed by imaging character of CDE. The features of CDE in RMCT: ①The ruptured chordae tendineae of mitral valve seems like on 2DE,named 2DE flail sign. ②M-mode echocardiography showed superimposed curve echo and trembling wave of mitral valve. ③For patients with mitral valve prolapse,a hammock-like prolapsed mitral valve can be seen on M-mode echocardiography and the prolapsed mitral valve protrude into left atrial on 2DE during systole. ④Pulse Doppler and continuous Doppler could record turbulent flow spectra from left atrial on top of mitral valve during systole. ⑤Color regurgitation flow through the mitral valve could be observed on CDFI during systole. ⑥The incidence rate of RMCT is much higher in male than in female and partial rupture accounts for larger proportion than complete rupture. Conclusions: The feature of CDE image in RMCT was obvious. CDE was valuable in diagnosing RMCT,but it should be differented from mitral valve prolapse and mitral valve vegetation.