Mitral valve prolapse in young patients is generally a mild, asymptomatic condition requiring reassurance, with beta-blockers indicated only for disabling symptoms or arrhythmias.
Reassurance suffices for most asymptomatic young patients with mitral valve prolapse; leaves open need for prospective outcome studies.
In brief: From 1% to 5% of young individuals are found to have, on clinical or echocardiographic examination, a prolapsing mitral valve. The majority of these patients are asymptomatic, and require from the physician an explanation of this defect and reassurance that the condition usually remains mild. Beta-blocking drugs are prescribed for patients with disabling chest pain, dizziness, or palpitation, or if potentially serious rhythm disorders develop. Physicians caring for these young patients must manage each case individually and must remain mindful that the natural course studies come from a perspective of only 25 years.
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Richard C. McFaul (1987) studied this question.
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