Mitral valve replacement in dilated cardiomyopathy: A valid option?

BACKGROUND: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterized by left ventricular dilation and dysfunction. The association with significant mitral regurgitation worsens the prognosis. CASE REPORT: A 2-year-old girl presented with DCM and severe mitral regurgitation. She had a history of viral myocarditis at the age of 4 months, necessitating recurrent hospital admissions for management of intractable heart failure, pneumonia, and failure to thrive. The decision was taken to proceed for mitral valve surgery, which ended with mitral valve replacement. Over 3 years of follow-up after surgery, there was significant improvement in her weight gain and she improved clinically. There were still recurrent admissions, but mostly for adjustment of her deranged anticoagulation medications. CONCLUSION: Mitral valve surgery might be indicated in selected patients with DCM.