30
MARCH/APRIL 2016
Mitral Valve Prolapse
Sounds Serious
Condition is often symptomatic of
other illnesses
by Charles Sebastian, Staff Writer
When doctors listen to the
inside of the body, or auscultate,
using a stethoscope most of the
time, they hear many signals of
imminent problems. Faint clicks
and murmurs that happen at specific times in a certain sequence
often signify a condition called
mitral valve prolapse (MVP).
MVP occurs when blood swishes
back into the left atrium, and it
can be symptomatic of serious
illnesses.
“The Click-Murmur Syndrome,”
as it is also called, is the most
frequent heart problem around
the world. Other names for MVP
include floppy valve syndrome,
balloon mitral valve, billowing
mitral valve, myxomatous mitral
valve and prolapsing mitral valve
syndrome. MVP can increase
one’s mortality rate up to 20 percent, depending on the amount of
regurgitation due to the affected
valve.
The mitral valve is designed
to stop blood from backing up
into the left atrium from the left
ventricle. Front and back flaps
make up the valve. Each has three
layers: the atrialis, the fibrous and
the spongiosa. When there is too
much connective tissue, as is the
case with MVP, the flaps weaken
and the area around the valve is
compromised. The flaps can wear
thin, bend, stick, invert or fold, all
of which decreases their ability to
stop the backwash. The best time
to tell if MVP is present is during
the heart’s systole phase, when the
heart ventricles contract.
J. Michael Criley gave
MVP its name in 1966,
though John Brereton
Barlow first described the
condition, which is why
it is sometimes termed
“Barlow’s Syndrome.” More
serious conditions that may
contribute to MVP include
polycystic kidney disease,
Marfan syndrome, EhlersDanlos syndrome and
Graves disease.
Most cases of MVP
fortunately do not require
surgery, though some
extreme cases can benefit
from certain procedures.
The most important aspect
of the condition is that it
tends to point to other,
worse issues many times,
which raises red flags for
doctors. Sometimes MVP
is the result of something
else. In many cases of rheumatic
fever, the valves in the heart area
are weakened, which can lead to
MVP. With Marfan syndrome,
the connective tissue is severely
weakened, and this also can easily
lead to MVP.
The American Heart Association says the following symptoms
may be associated with the valve
leak found in MVP: chest pain
(not caused by coronary artery
disease or a heart attack), dizziness, fatigue, a sensation of feeling
the heart beat (palpitations) and
shortness of breath with activity
or when lying flat (orthopnea).
Arrhythmias can result from
MVP. These can eventually
become serious. The heart may
enlarge due to the condition. The
chance of having a stroke from a
blood clot from the heart reaching the brain is greater in cases of
MVP. Endocarditis, the inflammation of the inner lining of the heart
walls as well as the valves, can
develop. Fluttering of the heart
or rapid palpitations may also be
present, as well as numbness or
tingling in the hands and feet. If
you feel any of these symptoms,
contact your doctor immediately.
If your doctor suspects you may
have MVP, an echocardiogram or
chest X-ray can help confirm the
diagnosis. A coronary angiogram,
cardiac catheterization or stress
test may be ordered as part of the
diagnosis and treatment. MVP
is very treatable in the world of
modern medicine.
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