MITRAL VALVE

• The mitral valve is the valve that regulates blood to pass from the left upper chamber (Left Atrium) to the left lower chamber (Left Ventricle)
• It is so called due to the similarity in shape with a ‘Mitre’ (also spelt Miter)
• This is a headgear which a Pope or Bishop wears in formal ceremonies

MVP

• Mitral valve prolapse is one of the most common congenital defect in the heart
• It is often shortened to ‘MVP’
• One of the most common ways of picking these cases up is when the doctor listens to your heart with a stethoscope
• A murmur is heard

DIAGNOSIS

• The definitive way to make a diagnosis is by echocardiogram
• This can be easier said than done
• This is because the alignment of the echo beam must be perfect
• Otherwise there will be an over diagnosis of this condition

The diagnosis should be made on Parasternal Long Axis only

Definition of Mitral Valve Prolapse. This is a enlarged picture of the previous echocardiogram

So what if I have MVP?

• This depends on the severity of the prolapse/li>
• The greater the prolapse, the more the valve leaks/li>
• Over the long term the back flow of blood to the left atrium will cause it to dilate/li>
• Eventually heart failure develops

Colour flow mapping shows

What do I have to do?

• You will need regular echocardiogaphic examination
• Depending on the severity of the prolapse and MR, the follow up echo may range from 3 to 5 yearly to as frequent as 6 monthly
• The MVP and MR if not severe may be very well tolerated and nothing may need to be done
• But if it becomes severe, valve repair or replacement may need to be carried out