[Status of the myocardium and heart valves in funnel chest]

Examinations of 70 patients with keeled deformation of the chest (KDC) have revealed signs of connective tissue dysplasia in all the examinees, as well as heart rhythm and conduction disorders. Echography has shown ventricular and atrial septal defects, mitral valve prolapse, dilatation of the aortic root, tricuspidal valve prolapse, abnormally located chorda. The development of KDC in the presence of external connective tissue stigmata, involvement of the cardiovascular system, changed dermatoglyphic pattern of the palms and fingers (as evidenced by dermatoglyphic analysis), as well as findings of histologic examinations of the cartilage removed in the course of thoracoplasty may indicate a generalized abnormality of the connective tissue in this patient population and KDC may be regarded as one of its manifestations.