Abstract
A rare case of ruptured mitral valve aneurysm associated with concealed infective endocarditis was accurately diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography. An 82-year-old woman with progressive dyspnea was referred to our hospital. She was not febrile and there was no significant sign of inflammation. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a saccular lesion in the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve and severe mitral regurgitation. Transesophageal echocardiography clearly demonstrated a ruptured mitral valve aneurysm measuring, 25×20 mm. Mitral valve replacement was performed. Microscopic study of the resected specimen revealed marked degeneration with infiltration of inflammatory cells, suggesting that the mitral valve aneurysm was caused by concealed infective endocarditis.
