[Prolapse of the mitral valve. Study using bidimensional echocardiography].

Mitral valve prolapse is frequent in childhood. The use of two-dimensional echocardiography may enable more accurate diagnosis and assessment of the degree of valve involvement. Twenty five (1.9%) of all children studied by two-dimensional echocardiography fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for mitral valve prolapse. In 48% it was associated to a different congenital heart as normality. The apical four chamber and parasternal long and short axis views were used, and cases were graded according to the severity of the prolapse. Diagnosis was made in 44% of cases by the apical four chamber view, which was the best projection to detect the abnormality. Cases of moderate and severe prolapse were also detected in the parasternal long axis view. All patients were asymptomatic but they were all controlled detect progression to mitral insufficiency of the appearance of other complications.