[Acute degenerative mitral insufficiency caused by rupture of the chordae in the elderly patient].

Five cases of degenerative mitral incompetence due to rupture of the chordae tendinae in patients over 70 years of age were reviewed to determine the clinical features of this pathology which is not rare in elderly patients. Chordal rupture usually involves the posterior leaflet and is a sign of generalised disease of the mitral apparatus of two main types: myxoid infiltration or pellucid degeneration. Although the clinical syndrome of rupture is rare (10 p. 100), the mechanism of the mitral regurgitation can be identified by 2D echocardiography with a sensitivity of 92 p. 100, and the consequences of regurgitation on the left ventricle can also be evaluated. Rapid progression to acute cardiac failure is often observed and early surgical cure may be necessary (valvular replacement with a bioprosthesis is more common than mitral valvuloplasty). Further justification for this surgical approach is the improved myocardial protection which has reduced the perioperative mortality rate to less than 10 p. 100.