Prevalence of clinical mitral-valve prolapse in 1169 young women

N Engl J Med. 1976 May 13;294(20):1086-8. doi: 10.1056/NEJM197605132942004.

Abstract

Eleven hundred and sixty-nine young women were prospectively examined for the presence of mitral-valve prolapse as manifested by midsystolic non-ejection click or late systolic murmur (or both). Of the 1169 women 74 (6.3%) had physical findings consistent with mitral-valve prolapse. Sixty-eight of the 74 (92%) had midsystolic non-ejection click, and in 57 the click was accompanied by a late systolic murmur. In six (8%) only a late systolic murmur was heard. Echocardiography on all patients with clinical diagnosis of mitral-valve prolapse showed patterns of prolapse in 60 of 74 (81%). Fourteen (19%) had negative echocardiograms. We conclude that mitral-valve prolapse is clinically present in approximately 6.3% of otherwise healthy young women.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • California
  • Echocardiography
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Heart Murmurs
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Mitral Valve Insufficiency / diagnosis
  • Mitral Valve Insufficiency / epidemiology*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Sex Factors