A Congenital Gerbode Defect associated with a Rare Structural Abnormality of the Mitral Valve Diagnosed in an Adult Patient

Korean Circ J. 2016 Sep;46(5):739-742. doi: 10.4070/kcj.2016.46.5.739. Epub 2016 Aug 16.

Abstract

We report the case of a rare association of a congenital Gerbode defect with severe mitral regurgitation due to abnormal linear structure of mitral valve, diagnosed in an adult patient. The case highlights the importance of a thorough examination interpreting the echocardiographic findings on a pathophysiological basis. It also underlines the complementary role of different imaging techniques with transesophageal echocardiography, allowing the precise assessment of both structural and functional abnormalities in such a complex case. The patient underwent mitral valve replacement with a bileaflet mechanical prosthesis and repair of the Gerbode defect. The imaging findings were confirmed during the surgical procedure, leading to a good outcome.

Keywords: Echocardiography; Echocardiography, transesophageal; Heart septal defect; Mitral regurgitation; Mitral valve.