[Mitral valve prolapse. A review]

Primary mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or the disease known as MVP, consists of mixomatous degeneration of the mitral valve with systolic displacement of a portion or all of one or both mitral leaflets beyond mitral annulus into left atrium during systole, associated or not with mitral insufficiency. Prevalence in Mexican population is <2%. MVP behavior is benign unless associated with mitral insufficiency (MI, moderate-to-severe) or complications, or is associated with other syndromes. The major clinical feature of mitral valve prolapse syndrome is mid-to-late systolic clicks identified with auscultation of mitral valve. Echocardiography is usually employed for diagnosis and management. Two-dimensional echocardiography displays one or both leaflets prolapsing behind mitral annulus and into left atrium in systole. In the majority of cases, MVP is harmless and does not cause symptoms nor does it need to be treated. In a small number of cases, it can cause severe mitral regurgitation and needs surgical treatment. Complications derived from MVP must be treated independently. Secondary MVP also consist of displacement of one or both valves toward atrium, but this is due to pathologies such as rheumatic heart disease, ischemic heart disease, or others. In these situations, treatment will be that of the underlying diseases.