Three-dimensional echocardiography in the assessment of congenital mitral valve disease.

Congenital mitral valve abnormalities are rare and cause mitral stenosis, regurgitation, or a combination of the two. Three-dimensional echocardiography has provided new insight into the structure and function of both normal and abnormal mitral valves. Three-dimensional imaging permits accurate anatomic diagnosis and enhances two-dimensional echocardiographic data. Moreover, it enables echocardiographers to communicate effectively with cardiothoracic surgeons when displaying, analyzing, and describing pathology. The purpose of this report is to review congenital mitral valve disease, focusing on the benefits of three-dimensional echocardiography in its evaluation.