How many clues make an evidence? An unusual case of aborted cardiac arrest due to mitral valve prolapse

Future Cardiol. 2023 Apr;19(5):255-260. doi: 10.2217/fca-2023-0018. Epub 2023 Jun 15.

Abstract

There is an increasing awareness on the association between mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and sudden cardiac death. Mitral annular disjunction (MAD) is a phenotypic risk feature that can help in risk stratification. We present a case of a 58-year-old woman who experienced an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest caused by ventricular fibrillation interrupted by a direct current shock. No coronary lesions were documented. Echocardiogram showed myxomatous MVP. Nonsustained ventricular tachycardia have been registered during hospital stay. Interestingly, cardiac magnetic resonance revealed MAD and a late gadolinium enhancement area in inferior wall. Finally, a defibrillator has been implanted. For arrhythmic risk stratification of MVP with MAD, multimodality imaging is the diagnostic tool to find out the disease behind many cardiac arrests of unknown cause.

Keywords: LGE; MAD; cardiac magnetic resonance; mitral valve prolapse; sudden cardiac death; ventricular arrhythmias.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Contrast Media
  • Female
  • Gadolinium
  • Heart Arrest* / etiology
  • Heart Arrest* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Mitral Valve
  • Mitral Valve Prolapse* / complications
  • Mitral Valve Prolapse* / diagnosis

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Gadolinium