Lack of Evidence of an Association between Mitral-Valve Prolapse and Stroke in Young Patients

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Abstract
Previous studies have reported a high prevalence of mitral-valve prolapse among patients with embolic stroke (28 to 40 percent), especially among young patients (those ≤45 years old); this finding has practical implications for prophylaxis. However, diagnostic criteria for prolapse have changed and are now based on three-dimensional analysis of the shape of the valve; use of the current criteria reduces markedly the frequency of such a diagnosis and increases its specificity. Previously described complications must therefore be reconsidered.