Heightening awareness in the detection and management of arrhythmic
mitral valve prolapse
Abstract
Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is present in 2-3% of the general
population. A small percentage of these patients develop sudden cardiac
death. Although there have been several clinical, EKG, and imaging
findings associated with sudden death in MVP patients, it is not yet
known which of the risk factors should be weighed more heavily than
other. More importantly, there is no consensus on which patients might
benefit from a primary prevention defibrillator. We present a case of a
young woman who sustained sudden cardiac arrest, and began recovering
after a prolonged resuscitative effort. She ultimately succumbed to
opportunistic infection. In hindsight, she had many of the concerning
findings of arrhythmic mitral valve prolapse. Raising awareness of this
condition can help to reduce risk of sudden death in these patients.