Incremental value of three-dimensional over two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in the assessment of acute dysfunction of mechanical mitral valve prosthesis.

We describe acute dysfunction of a bileaflet mechanical mitral valve prosthesis for the first time in a 57-year-old male. Unlike two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography, three-dimensional imaging convincingly showed a large rounded echo density consistent with a papillary muscle in contact with one of the leaflets showing only partial opening during systole.