[Mitral valve prolapse as a probable cause of cerebral ischemia. A case report]

A 32 year old female patient, documented clinically and echocardiographically to have a competent prolapse of the mitral valve (MVP), developed a sudden ischemic cerebrovascular accident (CVA), suggestive of embolism. There were no predisposing factors to cerebrovascular disease, except for past use of contraceptive pills. Tomographic study disclosed an ischemic right-parietal "wedge-shaped" defect. The patients's recovery, with physiotherapy and AAS, was satisfactory. The authors discuss the association of MVP and CVA, considering physiopathogenic, prophylactic and therapeutic aspects, emphasizing the need to consider MVP as a cause of CVA in young adults.