Severe mitral regurgitation due to mitral leaflet aneurysm diagnosed by three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography: a case report

BACKGROUND: A small mitral valve aneurysm (MVA) presenting as severe mitral regurgitation (MR) is uncommon. CASE PRESENTATION: A 47-year-old man with a history of hypertension complained of exertional chest discomfort. A transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) revealed the presence of MR and prolapse of the posterior leaflet. A 6-mm in diameter MVA, not clearly visualized by TTE, was detected on the posterior leaflet on a three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). The patient underwent uncomplicated triangular resection of P2 and mitral valve annuloplasty, and was discharged from postoperative rehabilitation, 2 weeks after the operation. Histopathology of the excised leaflet showed myxomatous changes without infective vegetation or signs of rheumatic heart disease. CONCLUSIONS: A small, isolated MVA is a cause of severe MR, which might be overlooked and, therefore, managed belatedly. 3D TEE was helpful in imaging its morphologic details. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12872-016-0413-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.