Complications of mitral valve prolapse

Complications of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) are not common. Most people with MVP do not have significant problems and do not need treatment. Complications of MVP develop mostly in people who have:¹

• A mitral valve murmur during contraction (systole).
• Thickened mitral valve flaps (leaflets).
• An enlarged upper left heart chamber (atrium) or lower left heart chamber (ventricle).

Complications of MVP include:

• Mitral valve regurgitation, which is the most common complication.
• Infection of the valve and lining of the heart (endocarditis).¹ People at risk for infection may need to take antibiotics before having certain dental work, medical procedures, or surgery.
• Irregular or rapid heart rhythm (arrhythmia).
• Temporary interruption of blood flow to an area of the brain (transient ischemic attack, or TIA) or a stroke (mainly in those who have atrial fibrillation).
• Heart failure, if mitral valve regurgitation develops.
• Sudden death (very rare).¹ The relationship between MVP and sudden death is not clear. It is known that there is a slightly increased chance of sudden death in people with MVP. It is likely to be caused by arrhythmias.²

Citations

1. Bonow RO, et al. (2006) ACC/AHA 2006 guidelines for the management of patients with valvular heart disease. A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing committee to revise the 1998 guidelines for the management of patients with valvular heart disease). Circulation, 114(5): e84–e231.

2. O'Rourke RA, Bailey SR (2004). Mitral valve prolapse syndrome. In V Fuster et al., eds., Hurst's The Heart, 11th ed., pp. 1695–1706. New York: McGraw-Hill.