Dermatoglyphic patterns in patients with mitral valve prolapse: a clue to pathogenesis

Area of Science:

• Dermatoglyphics
• Cardiology
• Genetics

Background:

• Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a common cardiac condition.
• Understanding MVP pathogenesis may involve genetic and environmental factors.
• Epidermal ridge patterns (fingerprints) can be influenced by developmental factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate differences in fingerprint patterns between patients with mitral valve prolapse and control subjects.
• To determine if specific fingerprint characteristics are associated with mitral valve prolapse.
• To explore the potential diagnostic utility of dermatoglyphics in mitral valve prolapse.

Main Methods:

• Fingerprints were collected from 100 patients diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse.
• Fingerprints were also collected from 100 matched control subjects (sex and race).
• Digital patterns, particularly arches, were analyzed and compared between the two groups.

Main Results:

• A significantly higher prevalence of arches was observed in patients with mitral valve prolapse (16.8%) compared to controls (2.5%).
• Nineteen percent of MVP patients had four or more arches, a finding absent in the control group.
• Arches were noted on digits IV and V in MVP patients (16% and 9%), but not in controls.

Conclusions:

• The presence of four or more arches, or arches on digits IV or V, may serve as supportive evidence for mitral valve prolapse.
• These dermatoglyphic findings could be valuable in evaluating patients presenting with atypical chest pain and palpitations.
• Antenatal factors influencing both mitral valve development and epidermal ridge patterns may play a role in MVP pathogenesis.