Cleft of the mitral valve is a rare cause of the congenital mitral regurgitation. Isolated cleft is uncommon finding and is more often found associated with some form of endocardial cushion defect. Cleft of the septal leaflet is found much more often than the defect in the posterior leaflet. Mitral clefts can extend to the mitral annulus or they can be less ''deep'' and show only minor regurgitation. Clinical importance of the isolated cleft of the mitral valve (ICMV) is that it can be successfully corrected by surgery and that it can have good long-term results.
(Hypoplasia of the posterior mitral leaflet - are we familiar with it?)
