Mitral valve prolapse
Mitral valve prolapse
In medicine, mitral valve prolapse (also mitral valve prolapse syndrome, Barlow's syndrome, or simply MVP) is a benign heart valve condition wherein the mitral valve does not close completely. Though usually harmless, persons with this syndrome often experience heart murmurs, sudden chest pain, panic attacks, and an inexplicable desire to flee—all of which are symptoms of an underlying problem of the autonomic nervous system.
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2 Symptoms 3 Diagnosis 4 Treatment 5 References |
The mitral valve, so named because of its resemblance to a bishop's miter, is the heart valve that prevents the backflow of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium. It is composed of two cusps that close when the left ventricle contracts. In mitral valve prolapse, the cusps do not close tightly, and often allow some blood backflow into the left atrium (atrial regurgitation).
Patients with MVP often have a corresponding disorder of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Though its connection to MVP has not been demonstrated, this autonomic dysfunction, or dysautonomia, is typically due to a fluid imbalance or catecholamine instability. The fluid imbalance typically presents itself as hypovolemia, a lower-than-normal blood volume, which lends itself to dizziness and hypotension. Catecholamine dysfunction often results in prolonged anxiety and an oversensitivity to stress.
Because it is involved in a variety of visceral functions, conditions of the ANS have wide effects. Symptoms of patients with mitral valve prolapse include:
Echocardiography is used to visualize the heart and identify a prolapsed mitral valve. MVP patients are typically females with long, slender bodies, though the origins of this gender and body-type specificity are unknown.
Severe atrial regurtitation may result in an enlarged left atrium, which can be diagnosed with a chest X-ray.
Arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation due to regurtigation can be identified via electrocardiogram.
Benign mitral valve prolapse is typically treated with antibiotics, especially for endocarditis caused by bacterial infection, or if dental work is scheduled. Severe regurtitation may require surgical valve repair or replacement.
Anxiety can commonly be controlled by reducing dietary intake of stimulants such as caffeine, which is found in chocolate, tea, and soda pop.
Water pills may be prescribed to reduce blood volume if there is excess fluid in the lungs caused by atrial regurgitation.
Overview
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
References