Pathology of surgically excised mitral valves. One hundred consecutive cases

In this study, 100 consecutive, surgically excised, mitral valves were examined pathologically. The valves were classified according to primary conditions that resulted in valvular malfunction. Rheumatic mitral valvular diseases (stenosis and/or insufficiency) accounted for 54% of the cases. Myxomatous changes (prolapse) were present in 32 cases. Fifty-nine percent (19 cases) of those cases with myxomatous changes also had chordal rupture. Four of the cases had papillary muscle rupture, and in seven cases, papillary muscle dysfunction occurred. In one case bacterial endocarditis was observed on a previously normal valve. In one case the pathology of valvular changes was indeterminant. Lupus erythematosus was diagnosed in one patient, and mitral valve insufficiency may have resulted as a complication.