Adult Echocardiography Practice Exam

A parasternal long axis view of the mitral valve on a patient with mitral regurgitation, but no stenosis, is consistent with:

1. mitral valve annulus calcification

2. endocarditis

3. myxomatous valve degeneration

4. parachute mitral valve

The correct answer is: mitral valve annulus calcification

In the context of a parasternal long axis view of the mitral valve revealing mitral regurgitation without stenosis, the presence of mitral valve annulus calcification is consistent with the findings. Mitral valve annulus calcification can cause functional changes in the valve that lead to regurgitation by impairing the normal closure of the valve leaflets. This condition is commonly seen in older patients and can be identified on echocardiography as echogenic areas around the mitral annulus, which can lead to insufficient coaptation of the valve leaflets during systole, resulting in backflow of blood into the left atrium. The other conditions, while also related to abnormalities of the mitral valve, present with different characteristics or additional findings. Endocarditis typically presents with valve vegetations, which could cause regurgitation but also usually demonstrates more acute changes. Myxomatous degeneration often presents with prolapse of the valve leaflets, which can cause regurgitation but would not be primarily indicated by annular calcification. A parachute mitral valve is a congenital anomaly that would show distinct morphological features on echocardiography and is usually evident in younger patients, making it unlikely in a patient simply identified with calcification