Adult Echocardiography Practice Exam

Which condition is characterized by the narrowing of the mitral valve opening?

1. Mitral regurgitation

2. Mitral stenosis

3. Aortic regurgitation

4. Aortic stenosis

The correct answer is: Mitral stenosis

Mitral stenosis is characterized by the narrowing of the mitral valve opening, which can significantly impede blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle during diastole. This condition is often a result of rheumatic fever, which can cause scarring and thickening of the valve leaflets. As the opening narrows, it leads to increased pressure in the left atrium, which can result in various symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and palpitations. In contrast, mitral regurgitation involves the backward flow of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium due to improper closure of the mitral valve, but it is not associated with narrowing. Aortic regurgitation is characterized by the backflow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle during diastole, while aortic stenosis is the narrowing of the aortic valve opening, affecting blood flow from the left ventricle into the aorta. Therefore, while all these choices involve valvular heart conditions, only mitral stenosis specifically denotes narrowing of the mitral valve opening.