Intensive Care Medicine (ICM) Practice Exam

Which of the following is true regarding mitral valve prolapse?

1. Symptoms can include palpitations, light-headedness, and syncope

2. It often results in sudden death

3. Physical exam will likely reveal early systolic clicks and left ventricular hypoplasia

4. Upon discovery, treatment is immediately aggressive

The correct answer is: Symptoms can include palpitations, light-headedness, and syncope

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a condition where the mitral valve does not close properly, which can lead to various symptoms. The symptoms associated with mitral valve prolapse can include palpitations, light-headedness, and syncope. These symptoms are often attributed to the arrhythmias that can occur in individuals with MVP, particularly when the valve's blood flow dynamics are altered or when associated mitral regurgitation develops. Palpitations specifically may occur due to ectopic heartbeats or other arrhythmias. Light-headedness and syncope can be related to reduced cardiac output or transient changes in heart rhythm. In contrast, while some individuals with MVP may have complications such as serious arrhythmias or require surgical intervention, it is quite rare for the condition to result in sudden death, which suggests the second option is a less accurate generalization. Physical examination findings associated with MVP often include early systolic clicks, which are characteristic, but they do not typically involve left ventricular hypoplasia; this finding ties more to congenital heart defects rather than MVP itself. Lastly, upon discovery of MVP, the treatment approach is typically conservative and based on symptoms and the presence of significant regurgitation, rather than aggressive and immediate intervention,