Two-dimensional echocardiography in the diagnosis of ruptured chordae tendineae.

Out of 2000 patients examined by two-dimensional echocardiography 20 patients (1%) were chosen in whom rupture of chordae tendineae was demonstrated (19 in the left and 1 in the right ventricle). In this group, rupture was connected with myocardial infarction in 5 cases and no coexistent cardiovascular disease was found in 7 cases. In 5 cases rupture of multiple chordae was found, with severe signs of left ventricular failure. In the remaining 15 cases only single chordae were ruptured. In 8 cases of this group, no significant hemodynamic disturbances were observed. Two-dimensional ECHO makes possible diagnosis of the rupture of single or multiple chordae and evaluation of the cause and consequences of this complication.