Barlow's syndrome evolving towards rupture of the cordae tendineae. Diagnostic echography and surgical cure
Halphen, C.; Desoutter, P.; Stoltz, J.P.; Houri, L.; Haiat, R.
Annales de Cardiologie et d'Angeiologie 30(6): 407-410
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-3928 PMID: 7325574 Document Number: 175156
A case of accidentally discovered Barlow's syndrome is reported in a 60 yr old asymptomatic female. Four years later mitral regurgitation appeared, which was shown by echocardiogram to be due to a rupture of the chordae of the small valve, and which rapidly led to irreductible acute left ventricular failure necessitating the insertion of a valvular prothesis. Mitral regurgitation after rupture of chordae is a relatively rare occurrence during the development of Barlow's syndrome. It is usually secondary to Oslerian grafting. It is much rarer that it be idiopathic as in this observation. Clinical control and echocardiography is important in patients with Barlow's syndrome.