Sudden death in mitral valve prolapse with Holter monitoring-documented ventricular fibrillation: evidence of coexisting arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

Int J Cardiol. 1995 May;49(3):274-8. doi: 10.1016/0167-5273(95)02294-7.

Abstract

We report the case of a 42-year-old female, affected by mitral valve prolapse and ventricular arrhythmias, who died suddenly from ventricular fibrillation recorded during Holter monitoring. The lethal arrhythmia initiated with late diastolic couplets followed by a ventricular tachycardia that eventually degenerated into ventricular fibrillation. The patient had experienced four orthostatic and stress-related syncopal episodes, associated with nausea and diaphoresis, and a positive tilt test. Holter monitoring documented ventricular arrhythmias, consisting of both isolated monomorphic and sporadic repetitive beats. Her standard ECG and exercise test were normal, but signal-averaged study findings were significantly positive. QT prolongation in the absence of arrhythmias was observed during the Valsalva manoeuvre and isoproterenol infusion. 2D echo showed a remarkable mitral valve prolapse without regurgitation and localized structural abnormalities of the right ventricle. Postmortem study confirmed mitral valve prolapse, and also disclosed pulmonary infundibulum dilatation, massive adipose infiltration of the right ventricular free wall, patchy fibrosis and scattered myocardial inflammatory infiltrates in the left ventricle; these features are all consistent with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Death, Sudden, Cardiac / etiology*
  • Death, Sudden, Cardiac / pathology
  • Electrocardiography, Ambulatory
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mitral Valve Insufficiency
  • Mitral Valve Prolapse / complications*
  • Mitral Valve Prolapse / diagnostic imaging
  • Mitral Valve Prolapse / pathology
  • Mitral Valve Prolapse / physiopathology
  • Syndrome
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / complications
  • Ultrasonography
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / complications*
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / complications*