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Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

Barlow Syndrome
Mitral Click-Murmur Syndrome
Mitral Leaflet Syndrome
MVPS
Billowing Mitral Leaflet Syndrome
Click-Murmur Syndrome
Floppy Valve Syndrome
MVP
Systolic Click-Murmur Syndrome

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

The mitral valve is the valve between the left upper and left lower chambers (left atrium and left ventricle) of the heart. Mitral valve prolapse syndrome (MVP) is a common condition in which one or both of the flaps (cusps) of the mitral valve bulge or collapse backward (prolapse) into the left atrium during ventricular contraction (systole). In some cases, this may allow leakage or the backward flow of blood from the left ventricle back into the left atrium (mitral regurgitation).

The exact underlying mechanism responsible for MVP remains unknown. In many affected individuals, the condition appears to occur in the absence of an associated disorder or syndrome (idiopathic). Evidence indicates that the condition is sometimes familial, suggesting autosomal dominant inheritance. In other cases, MVP occurs in association with certain inherited connective tissue diseases, other heart abnormalities, or other underlying conditions, disorders, or syndromes.

In many individuals with MVP, no associated symptoms are apparent (asymptomatic). However, in other cases, the condition may result in chest pain, abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), fatigue, dizziness, and/or other symptoms and signs. MVP is often associated with a characteristic click and/or a subsequent delayed murmur that may be detected through use of a stethoscope during physical examination.

Resources

March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
Tel: (914)997-4488
Fax: (914)997-4763
Tel: (888)663-4637
Email: Askus@marchofdimes.com
Internet: http://www.marchofdimes.com

American Heart Association
7272 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, TX 75231-4596
Tel: (214)373-6300
Fax: (214)373-0268
Tel: (800)242-8721
Email: Review.personal.info@heart.org
Internet: http://www.americanheart.org

NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda, MD 20892-0105
Tel: (301)592-8573
Fax: (301)251-1223
Email: nhlbiinfo@rover.nhlbi.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/

Coalition for Heritable Disorders of Connective Tissue
4301 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 404
Washington, DC 20008
Tel: (202)362-9599
Fax: (202)966-8553
Tel: (800)778-7171
Email: chdct@pxe.org
Internet: http://www.chdct.org

Cardiac Arrhythmias Research and Education Foundation, Inc. (C.A.R.E)
427 Fulton Street
P.O. Box 69
Seymour, WI 54165
USA
Tel: (920)833-7000
Fax: (920)833-7005
Tel: (800)404-9500
Email: care@careforhearts.org
Internet: http://www.longqt.org

Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126
Tel: (301)251-4925
Fax: (301)251-4911
Tel: (888)205-2311
TDD: (888)205-3223
Email: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/EmailForm.aspx
Internet: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD

For a Complete Report:

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 5/16/2008
Copyright 1988, 1989, 2001, 2003 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

WebMD Medical Reference from the National Organization of Rare Disorders

Last Updated: May 11, 2011

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.