Follow-up of patients with mitral valve prolapse presenting with rhythm disturbances.

The aim of the study was to analyze rhythm disturbances and clinical course in 18 patients aged 20-52 years with mitral valve prolapse. The patients were followed up for a mean of three years (range: 1-11 years). We analyzed clinical signs, resting ECG 24 hour ECG, exercise ECG, echocardiograms and the effects of antiarrhythmic treatment. One patient developed marked mitral incompetence. Supraventricular arrhythmias occurred in three patients and ventricular extrasystoles in all 18 patients (class I in 2, II in 6, III in 4, IV in 3, V in 3, according to Lown). Five patients required combined antiarrhythmic treatment. Course of pregnancy and births in two patients with mitral valve prolapse syndrome and class IV arrhythmias were uncomplicated for both the mothers and their babies. Great clinical variability of mitral valve prolapse syndrome ranging from an asymptomatic form to ventricular fibrillation is emphasized.