Skeletal abnormalities in mitral-valve prolapse.

One hundred and fifteen Chinese patients with mitral-valve prolapse were evaluated for skeletal abnormalities, to determine their prevalence and interrelation. Measurements of thoracic dimensions from radiographs differed significantly from the normal population. The commonest thoracic abnormality was the straight back, being present in 37.5% of the male and 26.9% of the female patients. Accurate quantitation of thoracic kyphosis was difficult. Either the ratio between antero-posterior and transverse thoracic diameters or a vertebral index characterised the straight back. Other abnormalities included scoliosis, sternal and rib deformities. The mean of metacarpal indices for the patients was also significantly higher than the normal mean. An abnormal metacarpal index was present in 20.9%. There was dissociation between peripheral and thoracic skeletal abnormalities. The diagnostic, aetiological and prognostic implications of associated skeletal abnormalities were discussed.