Diagnosis and Prognosis of Mitral-Valve Prolapse

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Abstract
Mitral-valve prolapse is one of the most prevalent cardiac conditions and one of the most controversial: uncertainty persists about how it should be diagnosed and about its clinical importance. Historically, mitral-valve prolapse was first recognized by auscultation of midsystolic clicks and late systolic murmurs, and its presence is still usually suggested by auscultatory findings. However, the recognition of the variability of the auscultatory findings1 and of the high level of skill needed to perform such an examination has prompted a search for reliable laboratory methods of diagnosis. M-mode echocardiography and two-dimensional echocardiography have played an increasingly important part in the . . .