Prevalence of QTc prolongation in women with mitral valve prolapse

Abstract

This report defines the prevalence of QTc prolongation in women with idiopathic mitral valve prolapse (MVP). Prolongation of the QTc interval in patients with MVP has been reported in several studies. 1–5 The incidence in these studies has been variable, ranging from 91 1 to 26%. 5 Not all investigations, however, have found a correlation between MVP and prolonged QTc intervals. 6,7 The Framingham study revealed no evidence of QT prolongation in association with MVP. 8 The incidence of QTc prolongation has clinical significance because several investigators have implied a relation between this repolarization abnormality and sudden death in patients with MVP. 9,10