Prolapsing Mitral Valve Leaflets

Abnormal billowing or protruding of the mitral posterior leaflet can be demonstrated cineangiocardiographically in patients with a systolic click and late or midsystolic murmurs. Diverse etiologic factors have been offered to explain the prolapsing leaflet. Cineangiograms of patients demonstrate varying degrees of mitral insufficiency occurring late in systole subsequent to maximum prolapse of the valve. The left anterior projection is necessary to define the prolapsing leaflet which in our patients was the posterior leaflet.