[Mitral valve prolapse and Willebrand disease. Study of 16 cases of Willebrand disease].

We studied mitral valve morphology and kinetics in 16 children aged 3 to 15 years with documented von Willebrand disease. Mitral valve prolapse was demonstrated in four cases (25%); this result is consistent with findings of similar studies in adults. This non-random association between mitral valve prolapse and von Willebrand disease, as well as embryologic evidence and reports of other conditions found in patients with von Willebrand disease, suggest that mesenchymal dysplasia is the underlying anomaly. Patients with von Willebrand disease and mitral valve prolapse may be at increased risk for cerebrovascular events.