[Calcifications of the mitral annulus mimicking rheumatic mitral valve disease. A case]

Long neglected, the significance of mitral annulus calcification had now been re-evaluated with the help of echocardiography. An unusual case with clinical symptoms mimicking rheumatic mitral valve disease has enabled the authors to discuss the acoustic manifestations of this entity, its evolutive potential and its causative factors. It is concluded that mitral annulus calcification should no longer be considered as a benign feature of the ageing heart.