Malignant Ventricular Arrhythmias in Patients with Mitral Valve Prolapse and Mild Mitral Regurgitation

Abstract

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a common disorder that, in general, has a good prognosis. Rare occasions of sudden death have been reported in patients with MVP and it is presumed that the basis of sudden death is arrhythmic. We report seven patients with moderate to severe MVP and malignant ventricular arrhythmias. All patients had trivial to mild mitral regurgitation and normal left ventricular function. Three patients presented with syncope, two with out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest, and three with recurrent palpitations and presyncope. In a mean follow‐up period of 2.5 years (range 6 months to 5 years), two patients died suddenly despite successful control of their nonsustained ventricular ..