Mitral valve prolapse (redirected from Mitral valve prolapse, familial, X linked)

Mitral Valve Prolapse 

Definition

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a ballooning of the support structures of the mitral heart valve into the left upper collection chamber of the heart.

Description

Other names for MVP include floppy valve and Barlow's syndrome. The mitral valve is located on the left side of the heart between the top chamber (left atrium) and the bottom chamber (left ventricle). The valve opens and closes according to the heartbeat and the pressure that is exerted upon it from the blood in both chambers.

The valve has supporting structures that attach to the heart muscle to help it open and close properly. When these structures weaken or lengthen abnormally, the valve may balloon into the left atrium. Sometimes this can cause the mitral valve to leak blood backward.

This condition may be inherited and occurs in approximately 10% of the population. It affects more women than men and often peaks after the age of 40.

Causes and symptoms

MVP may occur due to rheumatic heart disease but is usually found in healthy people. Changes that occur in the valve are caused by rapid multiplication of cells in the middle layer that presses on the outer layer. The outer layer weakens, causing a prolapse of the valve toward the left atrium.

Most persons do not have symptoms. Those that do may experience sharp, left-sided chest pain. Some complain of fatigue, or a pounding feeling in the chest. Others can have an irregular heart beat and even pass out. Some persons may experience difficulty breathing, ankle swelling and fluid in the lungs. Other symptoms may include anxiety, headaches, morning tiredness and constantly cold hands and feet. Death from this condition is rare.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of MVP is based on symptoms and physical exam. During the exam, the physician may hear a click and/or heart murmur with a stethoscope.

The best diagnostic test for MVP is the echocardiogram. The test reflects sound waves through the chest wall to give two-dimensional color flow pictures of the heart, its size, position, motion, chambers, and valves. Unfortunately, during the early 1980s, this diagnosis was often made excessively from faulty echocardiographic criteria prevalent at that time.

Any person with symptoms or family history of MVP should consider having an echocardiogram. The test takes 15-20 minutes and is done in doctor's offices and hospitals. It is performed by trained technicians and is read by cardiologists. Family physicians, internists, cardiologists, and nurse practitioners can treat MVP. Echocardiograms are recommended periodically depending on the extent of valve leakage.

Treatment

Persons who experience certain types of an irregular heartbeat with MVP should be treated. Propranolol (Inderal) or other beta blockers or digoxin (Lanoxin) are often helpful. Persons who develop moderate to severe symptoms with a leaky mitral valve may require repair or replacement of the mitral valve with an artificial heart valve. Persons with MVP and a leaky valve need to protect themselves from heart or heart valve infections. Antibiotics should be taken before any surgical, dental or oral procedures according to the American Heart Association recommendations.

Other treatments include drinking lots of fluids during strenuous activity and hot weather. Water pills, caffeine and donating blood may aggravate the symptoms of MVP.

Prognosis

MVP is usually not a serious condition. However, dangerous, untreated irregular heartbeats may rarely cause sudden death. These persons should be carefully monitored.

Mitral valve prolapse occurs when the mitral valve does not open and close properly. When this happens, the valve may balloon into the left atrium of the heart, causing the mitral valve to leak blood backward. Mitral valve stenosis refers to the narrowing of the mitral valve, in which the flow of blood from the atrium to the ventricle becomes restricted.

(Illustration by Electronic Illustrators Group.)

Resources

Periodicals

McGrath, Dicey. "Mitral Valve Prolapse." American Journal of Nursing May 1997: 40-41.

Key terms

Heart murmur — Sound during the heartbeat caused by a heart valve that does not close properly.

Rheumatic heart disease — A condition caused by a streptococcus infection which can result in permanent heart damage.

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mitral valve prolapse

n. Abbr. MVP

A condition in which there is excessive retrograde movement of the mitral valve into the left atrium during left ventricular systole, often allowing mitral regurgitation.

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mitral valve,

n a bicuspid valve situated between the left atrium and the left ventricle; the only valve with two, rather than three, cusps. It allows blood to flow from the left atrium into the left ventricle but prevents blood from flowing back into the atrium.

mitral valve prolapse (MVP),

n the protrusion of one or both cusps of the mitral valve back into the left atrium during ventricular systole, resulting in incomplete closure of the valve. It may or may not be associated with mitral insufficiency (regurgitation) or a “leaky valve” and cause a heart murmur. Also called
“floppy” mitral valve. In most cases, it is harmless and does not cause symptoms or need to be treated. Symptoms include sensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations), chest pain (unrelated to coronary artery disease or a heart attack), difficulty breathing after exertion, fatigue, cough, shortness of breath when lying flat (orthopnea). Some forms seem to be hereditary. It has been associated with Marfan syndrome, Graves' disease, and other disorders.

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Patient discussion about Mitral valve prolapse, familial, X linked.

Q. I have just developed a pain in my calf - feels like it clicks when I walk, and is a sharp pain I first noticed this problem this morning. As I stepped out of my car, I felt a sharp pain in my left calf, and it has gone worse as the day has gone on. No pain until I walk.

A. hmmm...now as i think of it- fatman's answer seems more logical. but usually people can tell the difference between strained muscle and other stuff. if it was just a pulled muscle he would have thought of it and naturally massage the area. no?