Diagnostic reliability of M-mode echocardiography for detecting mitral valve prolapse in 50 consecutive panic patients

Compr Psychiatry. 1989 Sep-Oct;30(5):369-75. doi: 10.1016/0010-440x(89)90002-3.

Abstract

Fifty consecutive panic patients had M-mode echocardiographs read independently by two cardiologists with expertise in echocardiography. In this prospective study, there was poor interrater reliability (22 of 50; K = 0.11) for diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse (MVP). On repeat evaluation 10 months later there was also unacceptable intrarater reliability for each reader: 22 of 35 (K = 0.41) and 22 of 35 (K = 0.45). We conclude that M-mode echocardiography is clinically unreliable for establishing the diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse. These findings suggest that the variable reporting of M-mode-determined mitral valve prolapse in psychiatric populations may reflect differences among echocardiologists rather than differences in cardiac pathology. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Agoraphobia / diagnosis
  • Arousal
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnosis
  • Echocardiography*
  • Fear*
  • Humans
  • Mitral Valve / pathology
  • Mitral Valve Prolapse / diagnosis*
  • Mitral Valve Prolapse / psychology
  • Panic*
  • Prospective Studies