Prevalence of mitral valve prolapse and associated valvular regurgitations in healthy teenagers undergoing screening echocardiography.
BACKGROUND
The true prevalence of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) in the population has been controversial.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence of MVP and associated valvular abnormalities in healthy teenage students.


METHODS
The Anthony Bates Foundation performed screening echocardiography in high schools across the United States. A total of 2072 students between 13 and 19 years of age were identified for the present study.


RESULTS
Total prevalence of MVP was 0.7%. The prevalence of MVP was significantly higher among female teenagers (nine of 690 female teenagers [1.3%] versus five of 1382 male teenagers [0.4%], P=0.01, OR 3.6, CI 1.21 to 10.70). The prevalence of mitral regurgitation (MR) and tricuspid regurgitation (TR) was higher in teenagers with MVP. MR occurred in five of 14 teenagers (35.7%) with MVP versus 15 of 2058 controls (0.7%) (P<0.001, OR 75.6, CI 22.6 to 252.5). TR occurred in one of 14 teenagers (7.1%) with MVP versus nine of 2058 controls (0.4%) (P<0.001, OR 17.5, CI 2.0 to 148.3).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of MVP in this cohort of healthy teenage students was less than 1%. Furthermore, the prevalence of MVP was higher in female teenagers and was associated with a higher prevalence of MR and TR.
Sattur
Sudhakar
S
Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Arizona School of Medicine, Southern Arizona VA Health Care System and Sarver Heart Center, Tucson;
Bates
Sharon
S
Movahed
Mohammad Reza
MR