MVP

[SmarieM1987]

A few years ago i was diagnosed with MVP. Then when i went back last year they said they could not find the MVP. But i still have many of the symptoms i had before and am still suffering from them. So is it possible they missed it on the ultra sound? And if so how did they miss it? Is it open more sometime then at other times?

[kenkeith]

QUOTE: " If the prolapse was caused by an inflammation around the valve orifice, forcing the valve out of shape, and has since returned to normal size, then I suppose this would be possible. However, if it was known that the orifice was the problem years ago, it is likely they would have ballooned it to open it back up".

I don't agree the underlying cause is as described for valve prolapse.  What is described pertains more to valve regurgitation. I have mitral valve regurgitation and an enlarged left ventricle can/did deform the orifice...

Mitral valve prolapse is a common condition occurring in approximately 4 - 18% of the population. It is defined as an abnormality of the mitral valves of the heart in which one or both mitral valve flaps close incompletely Conditions linked to MVP include magnesium deficiencies, increased catecholamine productions, anxiety, depression, migraines, allergies and asthma.

For some insight is the most common heart valve abnormality, affecting 4-18% of the world population. A normal mitral valve consists of two thin leaflets, located between the left atrium and the left ventricle of the heart. Mitral valve leaflets, shaped like parachutes, are attached to the inner wall of the left ventricle by a series of strings called "chordae." When the ventricles contract, the mitral valve leaflets close snugly and prevent the backflow of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium. When the ventricles relax, the valves open to allow oxygenated blood from the lungs to fill the left ventricle.  

It is possible to have a congenital defect of one or both chords attached to the leaflets to be elongated and with pressure from the left ventricle's contractions the leaflets bellow into the left atrium.

[BrokenPen]

The best way is to perform a transesophageal echo. It will diagnose accurately if you have a prolapse of not, and if you do how severe is the prolapse and possibly the reason of that prolapse.

[ed34]

If you had symptoms associated with your MVP, then I assume it wasn't mild?
A standard Echo is not the most accurate method for studying the valves in your heart because the main echo device is really a bit too far from the heart when moved across your skin. The bigger a person, like muscle mass etc, then the less likely the image will be too great. The better scan for valve functionality is the same technology, but you swallow a small scanning device. This allows the scanner to get quite close to the heart.
Known as a TEE scan, your throat will obviously be numbed and you are given meds to make you sleepy.
As for the MVP clearing up, well that remains to be seen by another scan. If the prolapse was caused by an inflammation around the valve orifice, forcing the valve out of shape, and has since returned to normal size, then I suppose this would be possible. However, if it was known that the orifice was the problem years ago, it is likely they would have ballooned it to open it back up.

[Bridget A. Hewitt, RN]

Hi and thanks for using the forum.

Unfortunately, I dont' really have the heart experience to answer this question.  I am going to move it over to the Heart Forum and suggest that you post it in the Heart Expert forum.  Sorry I wasn't helpful with this.  I just don't want to give you wrong information.  Good Luck.

Bridget