Common cardiac disease related to sudden death

A team of researchers led by the University of Adelaide discovered a link between sudden cardiac death (when the heart suddenly stops beating) and a common heart disease called mitral valve prolapse that affects about 12 people out of 1000 in the world.

In an article published in HeartThe researchers analyzed more than 7600 studies and found that 12% of sudden cardiac death victims with no obvious cause had mitral valve prolapse.

"The prolapse of the mitral valve is a condition in which the valves of the valve (mitral valve) which allow the blood to circulate from one chamber to another do not close in a regular way, but swell upward in the left atrium, "says Dr. Rajiv Mahajan, senior researcher at the Heart Rhythm Disorders Center of Adelaide University.

"Over the years, several case studies have associated mitral valve prolapse with unexplained sudden cardiac death, but the link has not been confirmed," Dr. Mahajan said.

"Our analysis confirms the association, and indicates that the incidence of sudden cardiac death in patients with mitral valve prolapse is significant at 14 per 1000 per year," he says.

The paper also identifies a number of features that place people with mitral valve prolapse in the high risk category for serious cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythm) and sudden cardiac death.

"The prolapse of the mitral valve is a common heart condition and in many cases it does not cause symptoms or require treatment," says Dr. Mahajan.

"The research, however, allowed us to identify a number of consistent features found in cases of sudden cardiac death where the patient had mitral valve prolapse.

"Cases of scarring of the heart muscle, cases of severe swelling of both mitral valve valves, and severe mitral valve leakage have all been reported in patients with mitral valve prolapse who were resuscitated after stopping. are at high risk, "he says.

In response to these findings, researchers, including researchers and cardiologists from the University of Adelaide, the University of Melbourne, the University of New South Wales and the University of Queensland, are in the process of to create a prospective registry in Australia for patients with mitral valve. prolapse, resuscitated cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death.

"With one out of five sudden cardiac deaths (SDC) occurring in people whose hearts are normally normal, this research provides insight into the need to study in more detail," explains Professor Prash Sanders, director of the Center for Disorders and Disorders. heartbeat at the University of Adelaide.

"This research is an excellent example of how interinstitutional collaboration has resulted in better outcomes for patients."

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More information:
Chrishan J Nalliah et al. Mitral Valve Prolapse and Sudden Cardiac Death: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Heart (2018). DOI: 10.1136 / heartjnl-2017-312932