Mitral valve prolapse and amaurosis fugax.

Because there have been reports of ocular and/or cerebral ischemic events associated with mitral valve prolapse, we reviewed a series of patients with mitral valve prolapse to determine the frequency of amaurosis fugax. Among 59 patients, 13 (22%) had symptoms while among 75 controls, only one had amaurosis fugax. We conclude that patients with mitral valve prolapse have an increased risk of ocular and/or cerebral ischemia.