Adult Echocardiography Practice Exam

What type of flow pattern is expected in severe aortic stenosis?

1. A. laminar flow

2. B. turbulent flow

3. C. reversed flow

4. D. continuous flow

The correct answer is: B. turbulent flow

In the setting of severe aortic stenosis, the expected flow pattern is turbulent flow. This is due to the significant narrowing of the aortic valve, which creates a high-velocity jet of blood as it passes through the constricted area. As blood flows from an area of high pressure to lower pressure, the turbulence arises when the velocity exceeds a certain threshold, which commonly occurs in severe stenosis. Turbulent flow is characterized by chaotic and irregular motion of blood particles, and this is typically assessed using Doppler echocardiography, where the disturbed flow patterns can be visualized and analyzed. The presence of turbulence in the flow can lead to a range of clinical implications, including the generation of noise known as a systolic murmur, which is a hallmark finding in physical examinations of patients with aortic stenosis. Comparatively, laminar flow occurs in conditions where blood moves smoothly in parallel layers, typically seen in normal or mildly diseased states. Reversed flow usually refers to abnormal flow patterns, such as in regurgitation scenarios, often not related to aortic stenosis. Continuous flow patterns are associated with different hemodynamic states, such as in cases of shunts but not specific to the aortic stenosis context.