Mitral Valve Prolapse: Whiplike Motion of the Posterior Mitral Leaflet Detected by Two-Dimensional Echocardiography

Abstract

Thirty-four patients with symptoms suggesting mitral valve prolapse were evaluated by M-mode echocardiography, real time, two-dimensional, phased array echocardiography, and cardiac catheterization. Ten of these patients had unequivocal evidence of mitral valve prolapse during cardiac catheterization. This diagnosis was established initially by M-mode and two-dimensional echo cardiographic techniques. A characteristic "whiplike" motion of the posterior mitral leaflet was seen in 7 patients. The posterior mitral leaflet was moving successively toward the left atrium and left ventricle during the cardiac cycle. Arching of one or both mitral leaflets was also seen in patients with mitral valve prolapse during two-dimen sional echocardiography. Two-dimensional echocardiography significantly en hances the mitral valve prolapse evaluation, but further experience and better techniques are necessary to explain many of the signs associated with this ab normality.