[Bacterial endocarditis of a mitral valve prolapse. Apropos of 2 cases]

We report on two observations of bacterial endocarditis complicating mitral valve prolapse. A review of the literature finds that endocarditis has complicated about 4 p. 100 of the cases of mitral valve prolapse that have been followed-up for 4 to 9 years. In one out of 4 such cases, a diagnostic delay has been held responsible for severe complications: arterial embolism, and cardiac failure with or without rupture of the chordae tendinae. Echocardiography, especially bidimensional, might lessen the diagnostic delay. Our analysis of the available reports indicates that young men with a late systolic murmur seem to be particularly prone do endocarditis, so that in this subgroup of patients antibiotic prophylaxis should be systematically prescribed when aggressive manipulations are considered.