Evolving Concepts of Mitral-Valve Prolapse

Almost half a century separates the Journal's first article on an auscultatory sign in what is now called mitral-valve prolapse1 from the article in the present issue in which Tei et al. describe still another auscultatory sign.2 The voluminous literature on mitral prolapse continues to increase. A list confined to key references exceeded 90 entries just three years ago.3 Two articles appeared in the Journal during the past year,4 , 5 and another only two weeks ago.6 Before the estimated prevalence of 6 per cent7 can be judged properly, it must be determined whether the term "mitral-valve prolapse" consistently connotes a disease . . .