Hammock mitral valve in a 12-day-old female: pathophysiology, management and legal issues.
Antonino Giulio Giannone, Tommaso D'Anna, Giuseppe Calcaterra et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A 12-day-old female infant presented with acute heart failure due to undiagnosed hammock mitral valve (HMV), a rare congenital anomaly. The autopsy revealed significant pulmonary congestion and diffuse alveolar damage, confirming the diagnosis. Unfortunately, the infant succumbed to the condition, highlighting the critical need for early recognition and referral to specialized care.
What made this case unusual
The case underscores the rarity of hammock mitral valve, which can mimic more common respiratory or cardiac issues, complicating timely diagnosis.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for rare congenital heart anomalies like hammock mitral valve in newborns presenting with acute heart failure.
Why it matters
This case emphasizes the importance of expert echocardiography and prompt referral to specialized centers to improve outcomes in similar cases.