Echocardiographic identification of mitral valvular abnormalities in patients with mixed connective tissue disease

To evaluate cardiac involvement in mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), M-mode, 2-dimensional and pulsed Doppler echocardiography were performed in 17 patients with MCTD. Pericardial abnormalities were present in 4 patients (24%), including small pericardial effusion (less than 1 cm) in 2 patients and pericardial thickening in 2 patients. Verrucous thickening of the mitral valve was detected in 2 patients (12%) by 2-dimensional echocardiography. Pulsed Doppler echocardiography revealed the presence of mild mitral regurgitation in one of them. To our knowledge, such mitral valve abnormalities have not been reported. Future larger studies are needed in order to evaluate the incidence and natural evolution of these mitral valvular abnormalities.