Rupture of Posterior Wall of Left Ventricle After Mitral Valve Replacement

During a 41-month period, 174 patients underwent mitral valve replacement at İzmir Atatürk State Hospital. There were 10 hospital deaths, 3 of which were due to ventricular rupture. In the 2 patients who died of ventricular rupture tears were located in the atrioventricular groove and in the remaining patient the tear was located between the atrioventricular groove and the papillary muscle. Immediate or delayed left ventricular rupture has become a major cause of death following mitral valve replacement. With preservation of the posterior chorda tendinea, the risk of ventricular rupture after mitral valve replacement should be reduced.