Sensitivity and specificity of two-dimensional echocardiographic signs of mitral valve prolapse

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The sensitivity and specificity of previously described 2-dimensional echocardiographic signs of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) were assessed in 70 patients with MVP and in 100 normal control subjects. Specificity of individual signs was uniformly high, ranging from 88% for excessive motion of the posterior mitral ring to 100% for several signs including systolic arching in the parasternal long-axis view, excessive posterior coaptation and diastolic doming of the anterior mitral leaflet. Sensitivity of individual signs was low to moderate, ranging from 1% for whip-like motion of both mitral leaflets to 70% for excessive posterior coaptation of the mitral leaflets in the apical 4-chamber view. The highest sensitivity value (87%) was associated with the presence of systolic arching of 1 or both mitral leaflets in the parasternal long-axis view or systolic bowing of 1 or both mitral leaflets in the apical 4-chamber view or excessive posterior coaptation of the mitral leaflets or a combination. This increase in sensitivity was achieved without sacrificing specificity (97%). Thus, the individual 2-dimensional echocardiographic signs tested possess uniformly high specificity, but only low to moderate sensitivity; however, sensitivity can be markedly enhanced without sacrificing specificity by using selected combinations of echocardiographic signs.