Clinical spectrum and natural history of isolated mitral valve prolapse in 30 children.

Thirty pediatric patients with isolated mitral valve prolapse were studied in order to elucidate the clinical manifestations and the natural history of this condition in children. The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 9.5 years, with a mean follow-up of 5 years. The evaluation of all 30 patients included: clinical examination by a pediatric cardiologist, ECG, chest X-ray, echocardiography and Holter monitoring. Two patients underwent cardiac catheterization and angiography, and two patients required antiarrhythmic medication for symptomatic ventricular tachycardia. No progression of mitral insufficiency was observed during the follow-up period. There were no instances of subacute bacterial endocarditis, cerebral vascular accident or sudden death. The prognosis of mitral valve prolapse appears to be favorable in childhood.