Review: Mitral valve aneurysms in infective endocarditis: mechanisms, clinical recognition, and treatment. 2009

Jeffrey J Silbiger
Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, USA. jeffrey.silbiger@mssm.edu

The mitral valve frequently becomes secondarily infected in aortic valve endocarditis. A number of mechanisms have been invoked to explain this association, including: (i) aortic regurgitation (jet lesions); (ii) vegetation prolapse into the left ventricular outflow tract ('kissing lesions'); and (iii) a contiguous spread of infected tissue. A variety of secondary lesions can develop on the mitral valve, including partial thickness ulcerations, perforations, vegetations, and aneurysms. The clinical recognition and treatment of mitral valve aneurysms in primary aortic valve endocarditis are of particular interest and comprise the main focus of this review. Echocardiographically, mitral valve aneurysms appear as narrow-necked, saccular echolucencies protruding into the left atrium. These structures must be distinguished from mitral valve prolapse, congenital diverticula and blood cysts. Mitral regurgitation can result from aneurysm perforation or from the mass effect produced by lesions critically located along the lines of leaflet closure. Aneurysms harboring clot are a potential source of systemic embolization. Treatment is generally surgical; however, otherwise uncomplicated aneurysms have been safely followed using a more conservative strategy.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008943 Mitral Valve The valve between the left atrium and left ventricle of the heart. Bicuspid Valve,Bicuspid Valves,Mitral Valves,Valve, Bicuspid,Valve, Mitral,Valves, Bicuspid,Valves, Mitral
D008945 Mitral Valve Prolapse Abnormal protrusion or billowing of one or both of the leaflets of MITRAL VALVE into the LEFT ATRIUM during SYSTOLE. This allows the backflow of blood into left atrium leading to MITRAL VALVE INSUFFICIENCY; SYSTOLIC MURMURS; or CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIA. Floppy Mitral Valve,Mitral Click-Murmur Syndrome,Systolic Click-Murmur Syndrome,Click-Murmur Syndrome,Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome,Prolapsed Mitral Valve,Click Murmur Syndrome,Click-Murmur Syndrome, Mitral,Click-Murmur Syndrome, Systolic,Click-Murmur Syndromes,Floppy Mitral Valves,Mitral Click Murmur Syndrome,Mitral Valve Prolapses,Mitral Valve, Floppy,Mitral Valve, Prolapsed,Mitral Valves, Floppy,Mitral Valves, Prolapsed,Prolapse, Mitral Valve,Prolapsed Mitral Valves,Prolapses, Mitral Valve,Syndrome, Click-Murmur,Syndrome, Mitral Click-Murmur,Syndrome, Systolic Click-Murmur,Syndromes, Click-Murmur,Systolic Click Murmur Syndrome,Valve Prolapse, Mitral,Valve Prolapses, Mitral,Valve, Prolapsed Mitral,Valves, Prolapsed Mitral
D003937 Diagnosis, Differential Determination of which one of two or more diseases or conditions a patient is suffering from by systematically comparing and contrasting results of diagnostic measures. Diagnoses, Differential,Differential Diagnoses,Differential Diagnosis
D004696 Endocarditis Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart (ENDOCARDIUM), the continuous membrane lining the four chambers and HEART VALVES. It is often caused by microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and rickettsiae. Left untreated, endocarditis can damage heart valves and become life-threatening. Infective Endocarditis,Endocarditides,Endocarditides, Infective,Endocarditis, Infective,Infective Endocarditides
D006322 Heart Aneurysm A localized bulging or dilatation in the muscle wall of a heart (MYOCARDIUM), usually in the LEFT VENTRICLE. Blood-filled aneurysms are dangerous because they may burst. Fibrous aneurysms interfere with the heart function through the loss of contractility. True aneurysm is bound by the vessel wall or cardiac wall. False aneurysms are HEMATOMA caused by myocardial rupture. Cardiac Aneurysm,Aneurysm, Cardiac,Aneurysm, Heart,Aneurysms, Cardiac,Aneurysms, Heart,Cardiac Aneurysms,Heart Aneurysms
D006349 Heart Valve Diseases Pathological conditions involving any of the various HEART VALVES and the associated structures (PAPILLARY MUSCLES and CHORDAE TENDINEAE). Heart Valvular Disease,Valvular Heart Diseases,Disease, Heart Valvular,Heart Disease, Valvular,Heart Valve Disease,Heart Valvular Diseases,Valve Disease, Heart,Valvular Disease, Heart,Valvular Heart Disease
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D017548 Echocardiography, Transesophageal Ultrasonic recording of the size, motion, and composition of the heart and surrounding tissues using a transducer placed in the esophagus. Transesophageal Echocardiography

Related Publications

Jeffrey J Silbiger
August 2013, Kyobu geka. The Japanese journal of thoracic surgery,
Jeffrey J Silbiger
September 2004, The Journal of heart valve disease,
Jeffrey J Silbiger
June 2007, Annals of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery : official journal of the Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons of Asia,
Jeffrey J Silbiger
December 1997, Zhonghua nei ke za zhi,
Jeffrey J Silbiger
May 1987, American heart journal,
Jeffrey J Silbiger
November 1989, Lancet (London, England),
Jeffrey J Silbiger
October 1984, European heart journal,
Jeffrey J Silbiger
August 1977, The American journal of medicine,
Jeffrey J Silbiger
June 1993, Archives of internal medicine,
Copied contents to your clipboard!