Valvular Heart Disease Flashcards

What echocardiographic finding is pathognomonic for rheumatic mitral stenosis?

Answer: Hockey stick deformity of the anterior mitral leaflet

Rheumatic mitral stenosis causes commissural fusion and doming of the anterior mitral leaflet, producing a classic 'hockey stick' appearance on parasternal long-axis view.

Which echocardiographic finding best distinguishes severe from moderate aortic regurgitation?

Answer: Vena contracta width ≥ 0.6 cm

A vena contracta width ≥0.6 cm is a reliable quantitative parameter for severe aortic regurgitation per ASE guidelines.

What is the most common etiology of isolated severe tricuspid regurgitation in the United States?

Answer: Functional (secondary to RV dilation/annular dilation)

Functional TR caused by RV dilation and tricuspid annular dilation (from pulmonary hypertension or LV dysfunction) is the most common cause of severe TR in the US.

On echocardiography, mitral valve prolapse is defined as leaflet displacement of at least how many millimeters above the mitral annular plane?

Answer: 2 mm

MVP is defined as systolic displacement of one or both mitral leaflet tips ≥2 mm above the mitral annular plane into the left atrium.

What does a Wilkins score > 8 in mitral stenosis predict?

Answer: Poor outcome with balloon mitral valvuloplasty

The Wilkins score assesses leaflet mobility, thickening, calcification, and subvalvular thickening; a score >8 predicts suboptimal results with percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty.

Which echocardiographic view best demonstrates aortic valve morphology to determine if it is bicuspid or tricuspid?

Answer: Parasternal short-axis view at the aortic valve level

The parasternal short-axis view at the aortic valve level best shows the number of cusps and commissures, allowing identification of bicuspid vs. tricuspid aortic valves.