Mitral Valve Prolapse

UT Southwestern Medical Center’s heart experts have the experience, skill, and advanced techniques and technologies to properly diagnose and treat mitral valve prolapse.

Our Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery is one of the nation’s leading programs, offering a variety of treatments for mitral valve prolapse, including minimally invasive surgery.

Experts in the Latest Treatments for Mitral Valve Prolapse

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) – also known as Barlow’s syndrome, click-murmur syndrome, or floppy valve syndrome – is a condition in which the heart’s mitral valve does not open and close properly.

The most common heart valve abnormality, mitral valve prolapse is usually benign. It is, however, the leading cause of mitral valve regurgitation and can lead to endocarditis (infection of the heart muscle), stroke, and cardiac death.

UT Southwestern’s heart surgeons are experts in minimally invasive approaches to valve surgery. We’ve performed more of these procedures than others in North Texas, and UT Southwestern is leading the advancement of additional treatments such as the MitraClip procedure.

UT Southwestern also offers a dedicated Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. Cardiac rehabilitation is a critical component of recovery and can prevent future heart disease.

Causes of Mitral Valve Prolapse

Common causes of mitral valve prolapse include:

• Connective tissue disease
• Coronary artery disease
• Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: A condition in which the ventricular walls have gotten excessively thick, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood
• Myxomatous proliferation, a tumor near the valve
• Rheumatic heart disease: Damaged heart valves and heart failure in patients with a history of rheumatic fever

Mitral Valve Prolapse Symptoms

Symptoms of mitral valve prolapse include:

• Angina: Chest pain that originates in the heart
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Heart palpitations
• Physical appearance: In particular, low body weight, scoliosis, or hypermobility of joints
• Shortness of breath with exertion or lying flat

Diagnosis of Mitral Valve Prolapse

UT Southwestern’s heart doctors use several tests to determine the problem. Common diagnostic tests include:

• Chest X-ray: To look for evidence of mitral regurgitation
  
• Echocardiography (echo or cardiac ultrasound): To visualize the mitral valve
  
• Physical exam: Includes listening with a stethoscope for mid-systolic click with late-systolic murmur
  

Treatment

Treatment options for mitral valve prolapse vary for different patients:

• With symptoms: Trial of beta blocker drugs first
  
• With signs of neurological dysfunction or daily aspiring: Cessation of smoking and oral contraception
  
• With severe disease that is leading to mitral regurgitation: Surgery to repair or replace the mitral valve
  

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials often give patients access to leading-edge treatments that are not yet widely available. Eligible patients who choose to participate in one of UT Southwestern’s clinical trials can receive treatments years before they are available to the public.