[False chordae tendineae in the left ventricle. Echo and phonocardiographic findings]

In 91 of 1007 children (9%) with and without heart disease who underwent echocardiographic exploration we found false chordae tendineae in the left ventricle. These bands, usually running from the lateral wall to the interventricular septum, showed strong ultrasound reflections and could be seen in at least two different views. More than one band was rarely seen in the ventricle. All children with false chordae tendineae in the left ventricle had innocent heart murmurs. Of these systolic murmurs 91% were, according to their sound quality, maximal intensity and frequency, Still's innocent murmurs. On the other hand, in 72% of 54 other children with innocent murmurs we found false chordae tendineae in the left ventricle by careful 2D-echocardiographic exploration.