Which condition describes a mitral valve prolapse?

• A. Endocarditis
• B. Mitral Valve Prolapse
• C. Deep Vein Thrombosis
• D. Myocardial Infarction

Answer: (B)

Mitral valve prolapse is a valvular disorder where the two leaflets of the mitral valve bulge or prolapse backward into the left atrium during heart contraction because the valve tissue is abnormally floppy. This can lead to mitral regurgitation if the leaflets don’t seal properly, and it’s often seen with a midsystolic click on auscultation. The phrase describing the condition is literally the same as the term: mitral valve prolapse.

Endocarditis is an infection of the heart valves, deep vein thrombosis is a clot in a deep vein (usually in the legs), and myocardial infarction is a heart attack from reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. These do not describe a prolapsing mitral valve.