Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGPClinical Lead • iatroX
Indications for referring a patient with mitral valve prolapse to a cardiologist include:
- Presence of moderate or severe mitral valve disease detected on echocardiography, as referral is recommended for adults with moderate or severe valve disease of any type NICE NG208.
- Symptomatic severe mitral valve disease, such as symptoms of heart failure, angina, or breathlessness related to the valve condition, warrants specialist assessment NICE NG208.
- Asymptomatic severe primary mitral regurgitation with echocardiographic findings including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) less than 60%, end systolic diameter (ESD) more than 45 mm or indexed ESDI more than 22 mm/m2, or increased systolic pulmonary artery pressure above 60 mmHg on exercise testing should be referred for consideration of intervention NICE NG208.
- Patients with mitral valve prolapse who have atrial fibrillation or elevated systolic pulmonary artery pressure (>50 mmHg at rest) should be considered for referral due to increased risk and potential need for intervention NICE NG208.
- Pregnant women or women considering pregnancy with moderate or severe mitral valve disease should be referred to a cardiologist with expertise in pregnancy and valve disease NICE NG208.
Referral is generally guided by echocardiographic findings and clinical symptoms, with the aim to assess the severity of valve dysfunction and determine the need for intervention or closer monitoring NICE NG208.