The mitral valve lies between the left atrium (top chamber) and left ventricle (bottom chamber) of the heart. Mitral valve prolapse occurs when the either one or both of the cusps of the mitral valve do not close properly and penetrate back into the top chamber of the heart. This results in some leakage back into the top chamber of the heart. Often times a murmur can be heard by your provider. There are no major symptoms associated with mitral valve prolapse and usually it does not require treatment. Mitral valve prolapse may increase the risk of infection of the valve.

The American Heart Association “no longer recommends routine antibiotics before dental procedures except for patients at the highest level of risk for bacterial endocarditis, such as patients with a prosthetic cardiac valve, patients who have had bacterial endocarditis before, or patients with specific types of congenital heart disease” (American Heart Association, 2009). Please ask your cardiology provider if you have any questions regarding this.

For more information, please visit the American Heart Association at
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4717