Myxomatous mitral valve disease and related entities: The role of matrix in valvular heart disease

Myxomatous mitral valve disease is a cause of prolapse of mitral valve leaflet(s) into the left atrium. In this condition there is a loss of collagen from the leaflet and an accumulation of glycosaminoglycan. Complications of myxomatous mitral valve disease include infective endocarditis, mitral regurgitation, sudden death, and stroke. Mitral valve prolapse has been reported to occur in association with many syndromes. In some of these, such as Marfan syndrome, the pathology of the mitral valve has been well described and is that of a myxomatous valve. However, in some of the other disorders associated with mitral valve prolapse, there is no information yet available on the valve pathology, and this would be useful in order to better understand the pathogenesis of myxomatous mitral valve disease.