[The etiological spectrum of pure and isolated chronic mitral insufficiency]

The 78 patients with mitral insufficiency studied in the present paper were chosen taking into consideration the following: regurgitant apex holosystolic or mesotelesystolic murmur, noise 3 and the dilation of the left atrium and/or left ventricle at Echo-20. The patients were investigated clinically, ECG, phonocardiographically and echographically (2D). The etiology was established in 75 patients; non rheumatic causes were present in 70% of the cases. The echographic study, besides the other methods, is very important in diagnosing the mitral insufficiency, in etiology, severity and the degree of deterioration of the pump function of the left ventricle. The Eco-2D examination, a noninvasive method, allows reaching therapeutic medical and surgical decisions at the best moment and helps in assessing the results.