Congenital Mitral Insufficiency

Abstract

The clinical and hemodynamic findings in 10 patients with mitral insufficiency on a congenital basis are described. Six of these patients have had repair of the defects with dramatic clinical improvement noted. The findings at the time of surgical repair have been summarized. The severity of the symptoms and the benefits to be derived from surgical repair should encourage vigorous attempts to establish the correct diagnosis. This is best accomplished by either recording the typical left atrial pressure pulse of mitral insufficiency during left heart catheterization or by left ventricular angiography to demonstrate the regurgitation of contrast material into the left atrium.