RUPTURE OF MITRAL CHORDA TENDINEA FOLLOWING BLUNT CHEST TRAUMA

Acute mitral insufficiency, originated from rapture of mitral chordae tendineae secondary to nonpenetrating thoracic trauma, is an unusual c ondition. This diagnosis is difficult to establish because physical ex amination, electrocardiogram, and cardiac enzymes are neither sensitiv e nor specific. The diagnosis of rupture must be quickly established b ecause this disorder may be fatal. This paper reports the case of a pa tient with acute mitral insufficiency secondary to a mitral valve chor d rupture a week after a nonpenetrating thoracic trauma.