[Two-dimensional echocardiographic criteria in diagnosing mitral valve prolapse]

Diagnostic accuracy and reproducibility of the two-dimensional echocardiographic criteria for mitral valve prolapse were evaluated in 68 cases with phonocardiographic features of mitral valve prolapse. Intraobserver difference for the diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse was also evaluated by reviewing the same videotapes from these 68 cases on two different occasions (five years apart). Of 45 cases who had been interpreted as having anterior leaflet prolapse, the same interpretation was made in 37 cases (82.2%), involvement of the posterior leaflet was suggested in four cases, and prolapsing leaflets were not identified in four cases. Of 21 cases with anterior and posterior leaflets prolapse, the diagnosis agreed in only 13 cases (61.9%). The follow-up echocardiography performed in the mean period of three years revealed the reproducible findings in 19 of 20 cases.