Mitral valve prolapse. A common cardiac diagnosis in women.

Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) is the most frequently diagnosed cardiac valvular abnormality. It is a primary disorder with familial occurrence. MVP is a disease of the young with a significantly higher incidence in women compared to men. The most characteristic clinical finding is a midsystolic click and late systolic murmur detected on cardiac auscultation. Two-dimensional echocardiography is the diagnostic tool of choice. 2D echo also helps in stratification of MVP patients at risk of developing serious complications. Although MVP runs a benign course in the majority of patients, significant complications may occur. These include progressive mitral regurgitation with heart failure, infective endocarditis, systemic emboli, cardiac arrhythmias, and rarely sudden death. The focus of therapy is reassurance and symptom relief when possible. It is important to recognize those patients that are at risk of developing significant complications, follow them closely, and intervene appropriately when complications occur.