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Mitral valve prolapse

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Barlow's syndrome; Floppy mitral valve; Myxomatous mitral valve; Billowing mitral valve; Systolic click-murmur syndrome; Prolapsing mitral leaflet syndrome

Treatment:

Most of the time, there are no (or few) symptoms, and treatment is not needed.

If you have severe mitral valve prolapse, you may need to stay in the hospital. Surgery to repair or replace the valve may be needed if you have severe mitral regurgitation or your symptoms get worse.

Antibiotics are given if there is a bacterial infection or risk of one. If you have mitral valve prolapse with a leaky valve, antibiotics are usually give before dental work.

Other drugs that may be prescribed are listed below:

• Anti-arrhythmics drugs help control irregular heart beats.
• Vasodilators dilate (widen) blood vessels, which makes it easier for the heart to work.
• Digitalis is used to strengthen the heartbeat.
• Diuretics (water pills) help remove excess fluid in the lungs.
• Propranolol is given for palpitations or chest pain.
• Anticoagulants (blood thinners) help prevent blood clots in persons who also have atrial fibrillation.

Expectations (prognosis):

How well a person does depends on what is causing the mitral valve prolapse. Most of the time, the condition is harmless and does not cause symptoms. Symptoms that do occur can be treated and controlled with medicine or surgery. However, some irregular heart beats (arrhythmias) associated with mitral valve prolapse can be deadly.

Complications:

• Endocarditis -- valve infection
• Severe leaky mitral valve (regurgitation)
• Stroke
• Clots to other areas
• Irregular heart beats (arrhythmias), including atrial fibrillation

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of mitral valve prolapse.

• Review Date: 7/17/2006
• Reviewed By: Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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