Most people with MVP need no treatment, but should be checked at least every 3 to 5 years. Those who have a lot of blood leaking backwards (called mitral regurgitation) are usually monitored more closely. The American Heart Association (AHA) used to but no longer recommends giving antibiotics prior to surgery or dental work to prevent bacterial infections in people with MVP, even in those who have substantial valve leakage or valve thickening.
Complications associated with MVP can be treated accordingly; for example, endocarditis with antibiotics, and arrhythmias with medications such as beta-blockers or antiarrhythmics.
Sometimes people with severe MVP need heart surgery to either repair or replace the mitral valve. This is necessary only if you have severe backwards leakage of blood, which can cause your heart to enlarge over time and lead to heart failure or arrhythmias. If this is the case, heart surgeons may be able to repair the valve instead of replacing it with an artificial one. When repair is successful, the heart muscle is able to pump stronger than if an artificial valve was implanted. A repaired valve also does not require the use of anticoagulants or blood thinners, which are necessary with some kinds of artificial valves.
After severe MVP is detected, it is hard to know the best time for it to be fixed surgically. This is a complex decision and your family doctor and cardiologist should continue to monitor your condition regularly.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2019. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Mitral-Valve-Prolapse