MVPS

    
      Re: Re: Re: MVPS
    


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Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on August 19, 1998 at 15:20:58:

In Reply to: Re: Re: MVPS posted by Ken Wnek on August 19, 1998 at 11:26:41:

:
  Thank you for your response regarding Mitral Valve Prolapse.  If one presents with MVP- like symptoms such as arrhythmias, syncope, etc., but MVP cannot be confirmed by any diagnostic means, I understand that the term MVPS is still applied. Apparently, a large percentage of people fall into this category....no apparent anatomic evidence of prolapse but the symptoms exist.  There are a number of websites that I have found describing this syndrome as MVPS or dysautonomia and all seem to refer to autonomic dysfunction as the cause.  Are you familiar with this? It seems to fit the bill for me, and explains a number of symptoms that don't seem to be in any way related to the heart, but are all hanging on the same nerve trunk you might say. Should I be seeing any electrophysiologist?    

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Dear Ken
You can't have mitral valve prolapse syndrome if you don't have mitral valve prolapse. I am not sure which websites are saying otherwise, but they are wrong. Oftentimes, it is useful for both patient and doctor for there to be a diagnosis, and perhaps this is why people with palpitations and a normal mitral valve are labeled as having MVP. There are many causes of palpitations, but MVP is the cause in only a minority of cases [and again you have to actually have mitral valve abnormalities to have MVP].
Regarding the autonomic dysfunction, that again is a possible, but unusual, cause of palpitations. The term autonomic dysfunction, much like MVP, is used loosely when there is in fact no specific diagnosis.
If you do have palpitations and syncope, you should definitely see a cardiac electrophysiologist.
I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
If you would like to set up an appointment with one of our cardiologists here at the Cleveland Clinic please feel free to call 1-800-CCF-CARE.
Information provided in the Heart Forum is intended for general medical informational purposes only. Actual diagnosis and treatment of any particular medical condition can only be made by your physician(s).