ANOMALOUS PAPILLARY-MUSCLE TRACTION AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF VENTRICULAR EXTRASYSTOLES IN PATIENTS WITH IDIOPATHIC MITRAL-VALVE PROLAPSE

Magnitude of papillary muscle traction assessed by echocardiography end the number of ventricular premature beats recorded during 24-hour ECG monitoring were studied in 106 patients with idiopathic mitral valve prolapse and in 33 control subjects. Patients with pronounced anomalous traction of papillary muscles (8 mm or more) had significantly higher mean number of ventricular premature hearts per 24 hours than patients with shorter traction (3 - 8 mm) and controls. Anomalous papillary muscle traction is suggested as one of possible mechanisms leading to ventricular extrasystole. Patients with pronounced fraction of papillary muscles need 24-hour Holter ECG monitoring for selection of proper of their management.