Mitral valve prolapse: gender differences in evaluation and management

Mitral valve prolapse is a common clinical disorder that affects approximately 3-4% of the adult population. Prolapse occurs more commonly in women and has been associated with a variety of cardiac complications including mitral regurgitation, endocarditis, arrhythmias, and sudden death, as well as noncardiac manifestations including stroke. Much of our earlier understanding has been influenced by significant referral biases and lack of controlled studies. Our understanding of mitral prolapse has evolved considerably since the initial descriptions nearly 3 decades ago. This review on the current knowledge regarding diagnosis and management of primary mitral valve prolapse focuses on gender-related issues that influence clinical presentation, prognosis, and therapeutic strategies.