Exercise-induced Acute Mitral Valve Chordae Rupture

Exercise is a rare cause of acute chordae rupture, which is one of the important and emergent differential diagnoses in approaching a patient presenting with dyspnea. Several common diseases such as rheumatic heart disease and infectious diseases have been known to cause chordae rupture. Severe mitral valve prolapse had been reported to be at increased risk for chordal rupture. Because mitral valve prolapse may present in up to 10% of healthy individuals, primary care practitioners should recognize that certain patients with mitral valve prolapse who engage in athletics may be at increased risk for such a rare but emergent complication.