Mitral valve prolapse in pregnancy

Abstract

Mitral valve prolapse is a benign condition. Mitral regurgitation is only complicated in patients with severe mitral valve prolapse. Women with mitral valve prolapse in the absence of other cardiovascular disorders tolerate pregnancy well and do not develop remarkable cardiac complications. Nevertheless, serious complications of mitral valve prolapse, including arrhythmia, infective endocarditis and cerebral ischemic events, can be present in pregnancy. Debates remain with regard to the use of prophylactic antibiotics and β-blockers in the pregnant women with mitral valve prolapse. The prognosis of the pregnant patients might be closely related to the pathological and (or) functional changes of the mitral valve. Non-myxomatous mitral valve prolapse poses no or little obstetric risks in terms of pregnancy, labor and neonatal complications; whereas myxomatous mitral valve prolapse is a major etiology of valvular heart disease in women of childbearing age. In the pregnant patients with mitral valve prolapse progressing into major complications, surgical interventions are considered. Medicinal treatment of such patients with β-blockers should be a concern for the fetal safety.

Risk of Mitral Valve Prolapse in Patients with Keratoconus in Taiwan: A Population-Based Cohort Study

“…There has not been a previous study that has evaluated the influence of gender in the association between MVP and KCN. However, there are several studies that have demonstrated an association between MVP and women of childbearing age [ 31 , 32 , 33 ]. Yuan et al reported that cardiac problems in pregnant women, especially MVP, are a topic of concern [ 32 ].…”

Cardiovascular Imaging in Pregnancy: Valvulopathy, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, and Aortopathy

“…Indeed, primary mitral valve prolapse (MVP) due to myxomatous valve disease is the most common valvular disease in pregnancy ( 41 ). MVP is usually suspected or diagnosed with clinical findings of systolic click and mitral regurgitant murmur, but these findings may not be classical in pregnancy because of the volume increases and lower systemic resistance that occur in pregnancy ( 42 , 43 ). The diagnosis is confirmed and the severity of mitral regurgitation ascertained by echocardiography ( Figure 3 ).…”

“…Asymptomatic women with mitral valve prolapse and chronic, severe regurgitation usually tolerate pregnancy without significant complication although the increased cardiac volume may be associated with signs and symptoms of volume overload and atrial fibrillation. This can generally be managed with careful diuresis and beta blockers ( 16 , 42 , 44 ). Metoprolol can be safely used in pregnancy but may be associated with fetal bradycardia so should be used judiciously.…”