incidence of mitral valve prolapse in patients presenting with atypical chest pain at tertiary care centre in Pakistan

ABSTRACT

Mitral valve prolapse is the commonest valvular heart disease in western countries. In Pakistan there is paucity of data regarding its prevalence. One important symptom among patients of mitral valve prolapse is atypical chest pain. Most of these patients are labeled functional if no obvious cause for their chest pain is found on initial examination. This prospective study was carried out in Mayo Hospital Lahore to find out the incidence of mitral valve prolapse in patients presenting with atypical chest pain. Case series. Fifty consecutive patients presenting with atypical chest pain in various departments of this hospital were evaluated clinically as well as echocardigraphically for presence of mitral valve prolapse. Out of these fifty patients 13 [26 percent] were found to be suffering from mitral valve prolapse. Six of them were male and seven were females with an average age of 30 years. Mean blood pressure was lower in patients with mitral valve prolapse. 54 percent patients had systolic murmur compared to presence of this feature in 5 percent of those without mitral valve prolapse. Majority of mitral valve prolapse patients complained of fainting and palpitations but none had panic attack or thromboembolism. If high index of suspicion is maintained for diagnosing mitral valve prolapse in patients presenting with atypical chest pain, one quarter of them are found to be suffering from mitral valve prolapse. These patients may be helped by reassurance, giving beta blockers and prophylaxis for infective endocarditis where appropriate