
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Mitral valve prolapse physical examination
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Classic finding on cardiac exam is a late holosystolic murmur with a mid-systolic click. MVP patients tend to have a low body mass index (BMI) and are typically leaner than individuals without MVP. They may also have skeletal abnormalities possibly indicating the presence of a syndrome such as marfans syndrome.
Physical Examination
Physical Examination
Appearance
Skeletal deformities which may be found in patients with MVP are:
- Narrow anteroposterior chest diameter
- Scoliosis or kyphosis
- Pectus excavatum
- Hypermobility of the joints
- Arm span greater than height
Heart
Auscultation
Heart Sounds
- A mid-to-late systolic click is present, followed by a late systolic murmur which is best heard at the cardiac apex.
- Click is early in systole, if patient is standing, sitting or valsalva maneuver.[1]
- Click is late in systole, if patient is squatting or leg raising.[1]
- First heart sound, S1 is normal as initial closure of mitral valve cusps is unimpeded.
- In presence of pulmonary hypertension, pulmonic component of second heart sound (P2) is loud.
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Murmurs
- Late systolic murmur is present early in the course of disease.
- A holosystolic murmur may be present if severe prolapse occurs.
- Best heard:
- Complete precordial area, if regurgitant blood is directed anteriorly.
- Back and left axilla, if regurgitant blood is directed posteriorly.
- Murmur is prolonged, if patient is standing, sitting or valsalva maneuver.[1]
- Murmur is shortened, if patient is squatting or leg raising.[1]
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
