Visualization of Mitral Cleft in Ostium Primum Atrial Septal Defect

Abstract

Mitral cleft is one of the characteristic features in endocardial cushion defect. The surgical results depend on the repair of the mitral deformities (1–4). However, up-to-now there was no way to evaluate the mitral deformities, including mitral cleft, pre-operatively or to assess the repair of the mitral valve post-operatively. Angiocardiography shows the presence of the cleft and the mitral regurgitation, but, however, gives scarcely any information about the status and motion of the leaflet and chordae tendineae (5–6). A new method is therefore needed in order to evaluate the mitral valve and its motion before and after surgery. This study was aimed at detecting mitral cleft and demonstrating motion pattern of the mitral valve, using real-time cross-sectional echocardiography.