Mitral valve replacement in dilated cardiomyopathy: A valid option?

Abstract Background Dilated cardiomyopathy is characterized by left ventricular dilation and dysfunction. The association with significant mitral regurgitation worsens the prognosis. Case report We report a 2years old girl, who presented with dilated cardiomyopathy and severe mitral regurgitation. She had a history of viral myocarditis at the age of four months, necessitating recurrent hospital admissions for management of intractable heart failure, pneumonia and failure to thrive. Decision was taken to proceed for mitral valve surgery, which ended by mitral valve replacement. Over three years follow up after surgery, there was significant improvement in her weight gain and she improved clinically. There were still recurrent admissions, but mostly for adjustment of her deranged anticoagulation medications. Conclusions Mitral valve surgery might be indicated in selected patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.