Mitral valve prolapse: cardiac arrest with long-term survival

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Cardiac Electrophysiology

Background:

• Cardiac arrest (CA) in patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is infrequently reported, with limited clinical data.
• Existing reports often rely on autopsy findings, hindering understanding of clinical characteristics and survival.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the specific profile and prognosis of MVP patients experiencing CA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the clinical characteristics and long-term survival of patients with mitral valve prolapse who experienced cardiac arrest.
• To identify potential predictors of outcome in this specific patient population.
• To differentiate the prognosis of cardiac arrest in MVP from other known causes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective identification of nine patients (2 male, 7 female) with confirmed mitral valve prolapse who experienced cardiac arrest.
• Review of medical histories, including symptoms like palpitations and syncope, and documented arrhythmias.
• Cardiac catheterization-angiographic studies, echocardiography, and long-term clinical follow-up of survivors.

Main Results:

• Ventricular fibrillation was documented in 8 of 9 patients; resuscitation was unsuccessful in 2.
• Eight patients reported a history of palpitations and ventricular arrhythmias; three had recurrent syncope.
• Seven survivors were followed for 3 to 14 years, with 6 remaining alive, suggesting a potentially better long-term prognosis than anticipated.

Conclusions:

• A distinct subset of patients with mitral valve prolapse may experience cardiac arrest, often associated with arrhythmias or syncope.
• The long-term prognosis for these patients appears more favorable than for individuals with cardiac arrest from other etiologies.
• Early identification and management of arrhythmias in MVP patients may be crucial for improving outcomes.