Diagnosis of cleft mitral valve using real-time 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography

Abstract

Isolated cleft mitral valve is a rare cause of congenital mitral regurgitation (MR). Most commonly, the cleft involves the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve as seen in atrioventricular canal defects, although isolated cleft on the posterior leaflet has been described [1,2]. Real-time 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (RT3D-TEE) allows visualization of the mitral valve in any desired plane orientation. It helps in defining the extent and location of the pathology, and determining the mechanism and severity of valvular dysfunction [3].