The Impact of Echocardiographic Results on Treatment Decisions for Patients Suspected of Mitral Valve Prolapse

Although echocardiography is frequently ordered in ambulatory settings for patients suspected of mitral valve prolapse (MVP), its impact on their subsequent management is unknown. We studied the relationship between the results of echocardiography for outpatients suspected of MVP, and two frequent m...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Medical care 1987-07, Vol.25 (7), p.652-657
Main Authors: Retchin, Sheldon M., Waugh, Robert A., Fletcher, Robert H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adrenergic beta-Antagonists - therapeutic use
Adult
Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use
Antibiotic prophylaxis
Antibiotics
Cardiography
Chest pain
Echocardiography
Echocardiography - methods
Echocardiography - statistics & numerical data
Endocarditis, Bacterial - prevention & control
Female
Humans
Male
Medical records
Mitral valve prolapse
Mitral Valve Prolapse - diagnosis
Mitral Valve Prolapse - drug therapy
Physicians
Recommendations
Symptoms
Technology Assessment, Biomedical
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Summary:Although echocardiography is frequently ordered in ambulatory settings for patients suspected of mitral valve prolapse (MVP), its impact on their subsequent management is unknown. We studied the relationship between the results of echocardiography for outpatients suspected of MVP, and two frequent medical decisions: treatment with beta blockers and the recommendation of antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent bacterial endocarditis. A medical record audit was performed on 274 outpatients referred to a university medical center echocardiography laboratory to rule out MVP. Although echocardiographic evidence for MVP significantly influenced the decision to recommend antibiotic prophylaxis (P < 0.001), symptoms were more likely to be used as indications for beta-blocker therapy in patients suspected of the condition. We conclude that echocardiographic results are used for recommending antibiotic prophylaxis to outpatients suspected of MVP, but not for beta-blocker therapy.
ISSN:0025-7079
1537-1948
DOI:10.1097/00005650-198707000-00008