[The etiological spectrum of mitral insufficiency: a 10-year retrospective study]

The incidence, etiology and data on the severity and therapeutic implications of the mitral insufficiency were investigated in the patients admitted in the clinic during 10 years. The diagnosis was based mainly on clinical and echocardiography mode M data. 595 patients suffering from mitral insufficiency (below 2% of the total of the patients admitted) were recorded. In 65% of the cases mitral insufficiency had a rheumatic etiology (the majority associated polyvalvulopathies), in 14.8% an ischaemic origin, and in 10.9% an organic-functional one (the left ventricle was dilated). The primary prolapse of the mitral valve appeared in 6.9% of the cases (the low incidence was explained by the severe criteria applied in positive diagnosis). 4 cases of rupture of the subvalvular apparatus are described in the patients suffering from prolapse. All of them had a sudden onset, by severe cardiac insufficiency without a clear cause, appeared under conditions of seemingly complete health. Intense therapy followed by valvular prosthesis, resulted in a spectacular recovery of the heart function.