The effect of amyl nitrite on the mitral valve echocardiogram in presumably healthy young adults.

We analyzed the use of amyl nitrite as a provocative factor in the diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse in a population of healthy young adults. Sixty-five men and 11 women underwent continuous M-mode echocardiographic and phonocardiographic monitoring before, during and after the administration of inhaled amyl nitrite. All of the 76 subjects had normal baseline echocardiograms, and all had a satisfactory hemodynamic response to amyl nitrite. Mitral valve prolapse, defined by echocardiography and phonocardiography, was not provoked in any of the subjects. Therefore, we concluded that, although this technique may be difficult, significant false-positive results should not occur if adherence to strict diagnostic criteria takes place.