Value of exploratory "scanning" in the echocardiographic diagnosis of ruptured chordae tendineae.

Echocardiographic diagnosis of rupture of the chordae tendineae to the anterior and posterior leaflets of the mitral valve may be difficult to make. Two patients, one with rupture of chordae tendineae to the posterior leaflet and the other with rupture of chordae tendineae to the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve, are reported to illustrate the use of an exploratory "continuous scanning" technique to facilitate and verify the echocardiographic diagnosis of these disorders. The elimination of confusing echocardiograms is emphasized.