Noninvasive assessment of myocardial function in young patients with mitral valve prolapse

To evaluate myocardial function in patients with documented mitral valve prolapse (MVP) 14 patients (six men and eight women with a mean age of 28 +/- 6.3 years) were examined noninvasively. Systolic time intervals were recorded at rest (in the supine and upright position) and after bicycle ergometry (upright position) and were compared with 10 healthy control subjects of similar age. Tracings were coded with random numbers and were evaluated by two blinded investigators. Contractility indices such as pre-ejection period index (PEPc) and ratio pre-ejection period/left ventricular ejection time (PEP/LVET) revealed no significant differences between patients and controls both at rest and after exercise. We conclude that young patients with MVP have no evidence for impaired myocardial function, provided there is no significant mitral incompetence or associated heart disease.