[A case of mitral valve replacement in the first three months of life for congenital mitral valve regurgitation].

Mitral valve replacement with 19 mm St. Jude Medical mechanical valve was successfully performed for congenital mitral regurgitation in an infant aged 3 months. The infant had undergone ligation of ductus arteriosus at the first month of age. Ten days after the operation, he was discharged, though having systolic murmurs. One month later, however, he was re-admitted for progressive heart failure. After hospitalization, he had to be supported mechanical ventilation. The second operation was needed for intractable heart failure, that was considered to be caused by mitral regurgitation, on an emergency basis without cardiac catheterization. The mitral valve was hypoplastic and the leaflet and chordae were gelatinous. Therefore, mitral valvuloplasty was considered to be impossible, and consequently mitral valve replacement was chosen. Postoperatively the patient's condition remarkably improved. Anticoagulation therapy with sodium warfarin and dipyridamole was maintained after operation. At present the patient is growing without any symptom.