Traumatic left ventricular papillary muscle rupture: the role of transesophageal echocardiography in diagnosis and surgical management.

We report a case of left ventricular posteromedial papillary muscle rupture caused by blunt chest trauma. Transesophageal echocardiography was used to establish the diagnosis and to assist with surgical repair of the mitral valve apparatus. Echocardiographic findings of the acutely ruptured papillary muscle are reviewed.