Autonomic dysfunction in women with mitral valve prolapse syndrome

Autonomic cardiovascular regulation was evaluated in 35 women, 19 with mitral valve prolapse and 16 healthy controls. Heart rate responses to the diving reflex and to phenylephrine infusion were diminished in patients. Noninvasive measures of cardiac output, heart rate, blood pressure, forearm flow and leg volume during lower body negative pressure (LBNP) showed that patients had less lower extremity pooling of blood and had lower forearm conductance. Blood pressures during LBNP rose or remained unchanged despite decreases in cardiac output of 20--25%. These data indicate that mitral valve prolapse patients have an increased venous and arterial vasoconstrictor activity. Cardiac output at rest and echocardiographic indices of contractility were normal. Patients with a history of significant ventricular arrhythmias had higher heart rates and lower forward stroke volumes than the other patients or controls. The combined data demonstrate autonomic dysfunction in women with the mitral valve prolapse syndrome and suggest decreased parasympathetic, increased alpha- and normal beta-adrenergic tone and responsiveness.