[Mitral valve prolapse--diagnostic and therapeutic implications].

In the most patients the mitral valve prolapse (MVP) syndrome has a good prognosis. The gradual progression of MR may cause the progressive LV dysfunction and development of heart failure. Long-term prognostic studies showed, that complications like endocarditis, cerebrovascular accidents occur frequently in pts. with mitral systolic murmur, thickened mitral valve leaflets and presence of MR. The diagnosis of MVP is made by cardiac auscultation and confirmed by echocardiography. The procedures usefulness in sudden death stratification are discussed. The management of the symptomatic patients, particularly the indication for prophylaxis of endocarditis and cerebrovascular accidents has been demonstrated. The indications for cardiac catheterisation and surgical treatment are presented.