BACKGROUND: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, with secondary atrial pressure elevation, is a well-known concept. On the contrary, effect of left atrial compliance on pulmonary pressure is rarely considered. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the echocardiographic case of a 9-year-old child who presented severe rheumatic mitral valve regurgitation with a giant left atrium, in contrast to a normal artery pulmonary pressure, testifying of the high left atrial compliance. CONCLUSION: Left atrial compliance is an important determinant of symptoms and pulmonary artery pressure in mitral valve disease.
BACKGROUND:Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, with secondary atrial pressure elevation, is a well-known concept. On the contrary, effect of left atrial compliance on pulmonary pressure is rarely considered. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the echocardiographic case of a 9-year-old child who presented severe rheumatic mitral valve regurgitation with a giant left atrium, in contrast to a normal artery pulmonary pressure, testifying of the high left atrial compliance. CONCLUSION: Left atrial compliance is an important determinant of symptoms and pulmonary artery pressure in mitral valve disease.
Authors: Mingzhou Li; Jean-Pierre Déry; Jean G Dumesnil; Jean-Roch Boudreault; Jean Jobin; Philippe Pibarot Journal: Am J Cardiol Date: 2005-08-01 Impact factor: 2.778