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Mitral Valve Prolapse
Alternate Names : Barlow's Syndrome, Billowing Mitral Valve, Floppy Mitral Valve, Myxomatous Mitral Valve, Prolapsing Mitral Leaflet Syndrome, Systolic Click-Murmur Syndrome
DefinitionMitral valve prolapse is a disorder in which the heart's mitral valve -- which separates the left upper chamber (atrium) from the left lower chamber (ventricle) -- billows out and does not close properly.
Pictures & Images
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Mitral valve prolapse can be caused by a variety of mechanisms. In most cases, it is harmless and does not cause symptoms or need to be treated. In a small number of cases, it can cause severe mitral regurgitation (leakage of blood back through the valve) and needs to be treated with surgery.
Some forms of mitral valve prolapse seem to be hereditary. Mitral valve prolapse has been associated with Marfan's syndrome (a disorder present from birth), Graves' disease, and other disorders.
Many people with mitral valve prolapse are thin women who may have minor chest wall deformities, scoliosis, or other disorders. There may also be an atrial septal defect (a hole in the wall that separates the left and right upper heart chambers) high in the wall of the heart (called an ostium secundum defect).
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• Definition
• Mitral Valve Prolapse Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Mitral Valve Prolapse Symptoms & Signs
• Mitral Valve Prolapse Prevention
• Mitral Valve Prolapse Diagnosis & Tests
• Mitral Valve Prolapse Treatment
• Mitral Valve Prolapse Prognosis
• Mitral Valve Prolapse Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Angina - Stable
• Arrhythmias
• Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter
• Atrial Septal Defect
• Blood Clots
• Endocarditis
• Heart Disease
• Marfan Syndrome
• Scoliosis
• Stroke
Tests & Exams
• Blood Pressure
• Chest MRI
• Chest X-Ray
• ECG
• Echocardiogram
• Thoracic CT
Surgery & Procedures
• Heart Valve Surgery
Other Topics
• Benign
• Breathing Difficulty
• Breathing Difficulty - Lying Down
• Chest Pain
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Heartbeat Sensations
• Invasive
• Symptomatic
Review Date : 9/23/2002
Reviewed By : A.D.A.M. editorial. Previous review: Seth Keller, M.D., Division of Cardiology, Yale New Haven Medical Center, New Haven, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (5/25/2002).
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