Large Caseating Calcification of the Mitral Valve Ring

Massive mitral valve calcification.

A 78-year old male patient was referred because of progressive dyspnoea. A diastolic murmur was detected and echocardiography showed two intracardiac masses (Fig. 1A). A computed tomography scan confirmed massive calcification of the entire mitral valve (Fig. 1B and D). Associated with valve degenerative processes, mitral valve calcification implies challenging valve replacement procedures and ...

Subvalvular calcification of mitral valve.

Annulus fibrosus calcification of the mitral valve.

C ALCIUM deposition in diseased heart valves may be demonstrated frequently in necropsy studies, but these deposits are usually overlooked clinicaIIy unless the heart is carefuIly examined roentgenographically. Sosman1 discusses in detail a simple method of demonstrating the presence of calcific deposits within the heart by x-ray. He suggests a small fluoroscopic aperture and a screen of high i...

Pathological and clinical study of calcification of the mitral valve ring.

The pathology and clinical features of 258 cases of mitral ring calcification were reviewed. The overall incidence in patients over 50 years of age was 8.5%; it was more than twice as high in women (11.5%) as in men (4.5%) and rose sharply with age. Cardiac failure and systolic murmurs were each noted in over half the patients. Hypertension was slightly commoner than in age- and sex-matched gro...

Echocardiographic assessment of mitral valve calcification.

The mitral valve was assessed by echocardiography in 20 patients, aged 27 to 67 years, who subsequently underwent mitral valve replacement. After removal, the mitral valve cusps were examined by direct measurement, radiography, and quantitative calcium extraction. Increased thickness of the E-F echo was found where calcification or fibrosis was present, differentiation by echocardiography alone...