Mitral Valve Prolapse

Mitral Valve Prolapse - What it is

What is mitral valve prolapse?

Mitral valve prolapse occurs when the mitral valve fails to close properly. A normal functioning heart has a mitral valve which closes completely during contraction of the left ventricle, thus preventing blood from flowing back into the left atrium.

However, for people with mitral valve prolapse, one or both of the mitral valve's flaps have extra tissue, which results in them bulging (also known as prolapsing) into the left atrium as the heart contracts.

This bulging may keep the valve from closing tightly, causing blood to leak backward into the left atrium, resulting in a condition called mitral valve regurgitation. This may not be an issue if the amount of blood which leaks backward is small.

What are the potential complications of mitral valve prolapse?

While most people with mitral valve prolapse never have problems, complications such as the following may occur:

Mitral valve regurgitation
Heart valve infection (endocarditis)
Heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias)

Mitral Valve Prolapse - How to prevent?

Mitral Valve Prolapse - Causes and Risk Factors

Mitral Valve Prolapse - Treatments

Mitral Valve Prolapse - Preparing for surgery

Mitral Valve Prolapse - Post-surgery care

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Article contributed by Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, National Heart Centre Singapore

The information provided is not intended as medical advice. Terms of use. Information provided by SingHealth

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