Mitral valve prolapse

Barlow's syndrome, also known as mitral valve prolapse, flaccid valve syndrome or myxomatous
mitral valve disease, is a common condition in cardiac surgery caused by improper closure of
the mitral valve (valve or valve between the left atrium and left ventricle). Valve prolapse
occurs when the mitral valve leaflet protrudes or bulges into the left atrium during heart
contraction. Under normal circumstances, this should not happen because a healthy valve
provides blood flow in one direction from the left atrium to the left ventricle. Improper closure
of the mitral valve causes blood to return to the left atrium, a phenomenon called mitral
regurgitation.

This condition can occur in anyone, but has been reported in patients with Marfan syndrome,
Graves' disease or rheumatic heart disease. Most cases do not require treatment. However, in
situations when mitral regurgitation is pronounced, Barlow's syndrome can also be a life-
threatening disease, and then adequate medical treatment, medication or heart surgery is
necessary.

The cause of mitral valve prolapse is not fully known, but inheritance is thought to have a
significant impact. There are primary and secondary forms of mitral valve prolapse.

- Primary mitral valve prolapse. Primary mitral valve prolapse is characterized by thickening of
one or both leaflets.

- Secondary mitral valve prolapse. In secondary mitral valve prolapse, the leaflets did not
thicken. Prolapse can occur due to ischemic damage (caused by reduced blood flow through the
heart muscle as a result of coronary artery disease) affecting the papillary muscles to which the
chords are attached, or due to functional changes in the myocardium.

In many people with mitral valve prolapse syndrome, the symptoms are not obvious or may
not be present (asymptomatic forms of the disease), and the condition is often non-progressive.
However, others with mitral valve prolapse may develop fatigue, shortness of breath
(dyspnoea), exertion, heart palpitations or rapid heartbeat (palpitations), and irregular
heartbeat (arrhythmia). Additional signs may include dizziness, episodes of fainting (syncope),
excessively low blood pressure when standing (orthostatic hypotension), headaches, and chest
pain.

In short, patients may have some of the following symptoms: fatigue, irregular heartbeat
(arrhythmia), migraine (unilateral headache, accompanied by nausea), dyspnoea (difficulty
breathing), chest pain, syncope (unconsciousness), low blood pressure in the supine position
(orthostatic hypotension), dizziness, panic attacks, anxiety, dizziness ect.

There are several ways we can treat MVP. In those cases when the patient develops mitral
regurgitation (moderate or moderate-severe), the doctor may prescribe medication. However,
there are cases in which this type of therapy will not be able to control the onset of symptoms
and, in these situations, the doctor may refer the patient for surgical treatment - mitral valve
surgery (valve repair (mitral valve repair) or valve replacement).