The mitral annulus disjunction as a risk marker in mitral valve prolapse

Disjunction of the mitral valve annulus is a structural abnormality consisting of an atrial displacement of the articulation point of the mitral valve, leading to an altered spatial relationship between the valve and the adjacent posterior ventricular wall. Studies have shown the relationship between mitral annular disjunction, ventricular arrhythmias, and myocardial fibrous degeneration, which increases the risk of sudden death, especially among young women. The case of a 30-year-old woman with no relevant pathological history with frequent palpitations is presented, in whom an increase in ventricular automatism with a progressive increase in the arrhythmic load of up to 20% with a weight of pharmacological management is documented. In a cardiac magnetic resonance, a 15 mm displacement towards the atrium of the mitral leaflets compatible with mitral annular disjunction and late enhancement foci of mesocardial, non-coronary distribution were observed. Given the findings and the persistence of symptoms, an electrophysiological study, 3D mapping, and ablation were performed. Two hyperechoic regions were seen on intracardiac ultrasound, one in the length of the anterior papillary muscle and the other in the mesocardium of the base of the posterior papillary muscle. Both foci related to the morphological sites of interest in which radiofrequency energy was applied. During the procedure presented an episode of ventricular fibrillation. A malignant ventricular extrasystole was considered and therefore a cardio defibrillator was implanted for the secondary prevention of sudden death. The literature was reviewed and the specific pathophysiological relationships between mitral annular disjunction, premature ventricular complexes, and risk of sudden death were analyzed. The role of electrophysiological study and ablation in symptomatic patients refractory to pharmacological treatment is described.