PMID: 16528959Mar 15, 2006Paper

Mitral valve prolapse

Giornale italiano di cardiologia : organo ufficiale della Federazione italiana di cardiologia : organo ufficiale della Società italiana di chirurgia cardiaca
Elisabetta AmiciGiancarlo Gambelli

Abstract

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is still a clinical challenging problem. In this report, we review the main characteristics of this entity. Epidemiology of MVP, which relies on the diagnostic criteria adopted, and the incidence of complications, both arrhythmic and structural, are influenced by the characteristics of the population studied, which may lead to bias in data interpretation. Even the definition of MVP may differ according to the cardiologist's or cardiac surgeon's point of view. Usually, cardiologists define MVP as the protrusion of all or part of the mitral leaflets into the left atrium, independent of maintenance of coaptation. Therefore, using this definition, mitral regurgitation is considered as a complication rather than a diagnostic criterion. Arrhythmias, either supraventricular or ventricular, are other possible complications, mostly not life-threatening and associated with myxomatous degeneration of the valve. Diagnosis of MVP is based on echocardiography, which provides detailed anatomic and functional evaluation of the affected valve. Leaflet thickness and motion as well as presence and severity of mitral regurgitation can be assessed, with important diagnostic and prognostic implications. Echocardiographic ...Continue Reading

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