[Mitral valve prolapse and cerebral ischemia].

We report on 10 patients suffering from cerebral ischemic episodes in whom mitral valve prolapse was diagnosed. Neurologic assessment included computerized tomography and angiographic study. In one case, the angiographic study revealed the presence of intracranial vasculitis and one woman was taking the contraceptive pill. The diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse was established on the basis of clinical grounds and electrocardiographic, Doppler study, Holter monitoring and two-dimensional echocardiographic signs. Our findings confirm that mitral valve prolapse is an etiologic factor to be considered in young adults with cerebral ischemia, although mitral valve prolapse does not exclude the possibility of other etiopathogenic conditions occurring.