Subvalvar Mitral Aneurysm: A Rare Cause of Mitral Leak

Submitral aneurysm (SMA) results from outpouching of the left ventricular wall which is congenital and occurs adjacent to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve. Although it is predominantly described among the natives of Africa, it is considered rare in the Indian subcontinent. It presents clinically as palpitation, congestive cardiac failure in the presence of mitral regurgitation, arrhythmias and embolic phenomenon. Echocardiography is the precise diagnostic tool. We report this case of a 24-year-old man who was referred for evaluation of palpitation. This underlines the importance of considering SMA in the differential diagnosis of mitral regurgitation in young patients in our subcontinent where rheumatic etiology usually predominates.