ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To describe cases of rheumatic carditis with echocardiographic aspects of prolapse or rupture of mitral structures. METHODS: We described 16 cases of acute carditis (ages between 5-15 years). In 10 (group 1) there was aspect of mitral prolapse, in 6 (group 2) aspect of "flail". The measurements of anterior chordae and anuli were compared to the ones of 5 cases of chronic rheumatic fever with dilated left ventricle and aortic regurgitation (group 3) and to 20 normal children of same ages. The same measurements were repeated after treatment. RESULTS: The mean of the measurements in group 1 was; 26.48 +/- 11.46mm-anterior chordae; 32.13 +/- 7.35mm anuli; in the group 2 was respectively 29.63 +/- 4.57mm and 35.63 +/- 7 mm. In the group 3 anterior chordae was 34.52 +/- 6.8mm, anuli: 34.8 +/- 4.61 mm. In the normal group, respectively was: 18.19 +/- 4.26mm and 24.66 +/- 2.85mm. After corticosteroid many cases improved. In the statistical analyses, the measurements among patients of group 1 and 2 compared to normal children, the difference was significant but it was not compared to group 3. Comparing the measurements pre and post treatment the decrease was not significant. CONCLUSION: The acute carditis in these cases lead to significant elongation of anterior chordae and dilatation of anuli, but there was not a significant decrease after treatment.
