Mitral valve prolapse. Two-dimensional echocardiographic and angiographic correlation

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) diagnosis can be challenging.
• Establishing clear diagnostic criteria for MVP using echocardiography is crucial for patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define baseline descriptive criteria for diagnosing mitral valve prolapse (MVP) using cross-sectional echocardiography.
• To identify specific two-dimensional echocardiographic findings indicative of MVP.

Main Methods:

• 49 patients undergoing catheterization were evaluated using a real-time, two-dimensional phased array echocardiographic system.
• Patients were categorized into normal mitral valve function (n=15) and definite mitral valve prolapse (n=34) groups based on angiography.
• Systolic mitral leaflet and annulus motion were analyzed, with M-mode echocardiography data available for 37 patients.

Main Results:

• Specific two-dimensional echocardiographic findings were identified in the MVP group: posteriorly displaced leaflet coaptation, superior leaflet movement above the mitral ring, and posterior mitral ring curling.
• These abnormalities were present in all 34 patients with angiographic MVP.
• Two-dimensional echocardiography suggests both mitral leaflets are typically involved in MVP.

Conclusions:

• Two-dimensional echocardiography provides distinct criteria for diagnosing mitral valve prolapse.
• The identified abnormalities offer a reliable method for detecting MVP using real-time imaging.