Noninvasive detection by Doppler echocardiography of combined ventricular septal rupture and mitral regurgitation in acute myocardial infarction.

The diagnosis of combined ventricular septal rupture and mitral regurgitation complicating acute myocardial infarction is difficult and in previously reported cases has required right and left heart catheterization. This study utilized simultaneous Doppler and two-dimensional echocardiography to diagnose these combined lesions in two cases. Doppler echocardiography should have its greatest impact in the early noninvasive diagnosis of these complications.