Can mitral valve prolaps cause ventricular tachycardia? Or is it 2 different things?

Question

I have both and my cardiologist wants me to have the surgery where they burn your heart. Would it be worth my time? I get svt's everyday most of them are very mild.

Answer 1

Mitral valve prolapse is a mechanical condition in which the mitral valve (located between the left atrium and the left ventricle) doesn't close properly. This is a very common condition, and typically is asymptomatic. Sometimes it will lead to exercise intolerance and a fast heart rate, and you will need to take antibiotics before certain procedures (like going to see the dentist), because bacteria can grow on a prolapsed valve much easier than on a regular valve.

Ventricular tachycardia is a conduction abnormality, in which the ventricles recieve a signal to beat much more frequently than they should. The origination of this beat can vary by a lot, and depending on where the signal originates, will help determine the treatment. The problem with ventricular tachycardias, regardless of their origin, is that they predispose you to more serious conduction abnormalities, with ventricular fibrillation (when the ventricles don't beat coherently, and instead just kind of quiver, or fibrillate) as the most serious. Each time your heart goes into ventricular tachycardia, you have an increased chance of going into ventricular fibrillation, which can result in death. If you're having these episodes every day, you need to do something to control it. Whether that option is pharmacological or surgical should be between you and your doctor, who knows all the details of your case.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Well, MVP is when the mitral valve doesn't remain shut when the ventricle contracts, and some blood goes retrograde into the left atrium. True SVT (if that is what is causing your V-tach) is different, in that the problem lies primarily in the AV-node, and stimulates the ventricles too frequently.

Ventricular tachycardia is not dangerous, but ventricular fibrillation is -- the MVP may predispose to it, especially with the pre-existing SVT. I think this is why your cardiologist wants to have the ablation done, because MVP is pretty benign, and he's just looking to prevent any serious complications that might be caused by the underlying SVT. Ask your cardiologist about the risks involved, and if they're minimal, you should strongly consider it -- even though your SVTs are not causing problems now, they might later on.

Answer 3

The treatment is called ablasion. There are many types of arrhythmias, some are benign, and some are dangerous. Usually, the MD will try to treat the problem w/medication(s), and if meds aren't working well, then ablasion is a good idea. Although it is not 100% successful in all patients--sometimes they can't pinpoint the exact area to "burn", so no ablasion is done. If you aren't sure about having this done, I'd suggest getting a second opinion. Good luck!! :o)

Answer 4

I think possibly one could be related to the other, but this is a good question to ask your doctor, and if you don't like what he says is the alternative, there is always the option of a second opinion. I would look at all of your options before surgery, but don't avoid it if you can. Problems with your heart are things you NEVER what to ignore. I hope things work out for you. Have an awesome day! :)