[Acute mitral regurgitation causing right-sided pulmonary edema: a case report]

A young female presented to our emergency department with sudden-onset shortness of breath and orthopnea. Her condition rapidly worsened. She developed severe respiratory failure and cardiogenic shock ensued. Noticeably, the patient's CT scan showed a unique pattern of right-sided unilateral pulmonary edema, a feature highly specific for severe mitral regurgitation. Echocardiography confirmed papillary muscle rupture and acute mitral valve prolapse to be the cause. Her condition improved significantly after mitral valve replacement and with respiratory and circulatory support, as well as with other heart failure treatment. The classic symptoms of acute left heart failure combined with the unique CT manifestation of predominantly right-sided pulmonary edema suggested severe mitral regurgitation. Prompt diagnosis and early initiation of treatment aimed at the underlying cause is of great significance in improving the patient's prognosis.