Mitral valve prolapse associated with celiac artery stenosis: a new ultrasonographic syndrome?
BACKGROUND
Celiac artery stenosis (CAS) may be caused by atherosclerotic degeneration or compression exerted by the arched ligament of the diaphragm. Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is the most common valvular disorder. There are no reports on an association between CAS and MVP.


METHODS
1560 (41%) out of 3780 consecutive patients undergoing echocardiographic assessment of MVP, had Doppler sonography of the celiac tract to detect CAS.


RESULTS
CAS was found in 57 (3.7%) subjects (23 males and 34 females) none of whom complained of symptoms related to visceral ischemia. MVP was observed in 47 (82.4%) subjects with and 118 (7.9%) without CAS (p < 0.001). The agreement between MVP and CAS was 39% (95% CI 32-49%). PSV (Peak Systolic Velocity) was the only predictor of CAS in MPV patients (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.08-0.69) as selected in a multivariate logistic model.


CONCLUSIONS
CAS and MVP seem to be significantly associated in patients undergoing consecutive ultrasonographic screening.
Arcari
Luciano
L
Guglielmo Marconi University - ASDAC (Updating and Teaching in Cardiology, Scientific Association), ARCA Lazio, Rome, Italy. luciano.arcari@fastwebnet.it
D000328:Adult; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002445:Celiac Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008945:Mitral Valve Prolapse / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013577:Syndrome; D014463:Ultrasonography