Secundum atrial septal defect and mitral valve incompetence.

Mitral regurgitation associated with secundum atrial septal defect is described in 4 patients, each with a different mitral lesion: rheumatic valvular disease, congenitally cleft valve, subacute bacterial endocarditis with disruption of the chordae tendineae, and traumatic valve rupture. The pathological spectrum of mitral valve disease associated with atrial septal defect is reviewed, and it is suggested that structural abnormality of the mitral valve may accompany the atrial septal defect. More general awareness of this association will allow the surgeon more accuracy in defining and repairing this rather unusual combination of lesions.