Mitral Valve Prolapse

Mitral valve prolapse is a structural heart condition in which the mitral valve prolapse into the left atrium , leading to improper valve closure. According to Braunwald’s Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine, MVP is defined as the superior displacement of the mitral valve leaflets by ≥2 mm above the annular plane during systole, which may result in mitral regurgitation.

Types of Mitral Valve Prolapse

1. Primary (Myxomatous) MVP – Due to degenerative changes in valve tissue, often idiopathic.
2. Secondary (Functional) MVP – Occurs as a result of other heart conditions, such as ischemic heart disease or cardiomyopathy.

Clinical Features

General Symptoms

• Chest Pain – Atypical, non-exertional, and sharp, unrelated to coronary artery disease.
• Palpitations – Due to arrhythmias or heightened awareness of the heartbeat.
• Fatigue and Dizziness – Resulting from autonomic dysfunction and reduced cardiac output.
• Anxiety or Panic Sensations – Often reported due to autonomic disturbances.

Cardiac Manifestations

• Midsystolic Click – A hallmark finding due to the sudden tensing of the prolapsing valve leaflet.
• Late Systolic Murmur – Heard best at the apex, often associated with mitral regurgitation.
• Arrhythmias – Supraventricular or ventricular arrhythmias may occur, leading to palpitations or syncope.

Complications

• Mitral Regurgitation – Progressive valve incompetence causing volume overload and heart failure.
• Infective Endocarditis – Higher risk due to abnormal valve structure.
• Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) – Due to embolism from arrhythmias or thrombus formation.
• Heart Failure – In cases with severe mitral regurgitation and left ventricular dysfunction.

Diagnostic Methods

• Echocardiography (2D or 3D) – Gold standard for diagnosing leaflet prolapse and assessing mitral regurgitation.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG) – To detect arrhythmias or nonspecific ST-T wave changes.
• Holter Monitoring – Identifies intermittent arrhythmias in symptomatic patients.
• Stress Testing – Evaluates exercise tolerance and symptom provocation.

Why Choose Aster Hospitals?

Aster Hospitals provide comprehensive care for mitral valve prolapse with state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment facilities. Our team includes experienced cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and electrophysiologists who ensure personalized treatment plans. Aster Hospitals offer advanced echocardiography, arrhythmia monitoring, and minimally invasive valve repair surgeries. We follow international guidelines and provide holistic care, including cardiac rehabilitation, nutritional support, and lifestyle counseling for better outcomes.

Why Choose a Cardiologist?

A cardiologist is a specialist who ensures accurate diagnosis, tailored treatment plans, and long-term monitoring to prevent complications like arrhythmias, mitral regurgitation, and heart failure. Multidisciplinary care with advanced imaging and surgical techniques significantly improves patient outcomes.