Which of the following is a known etiology of mitral stenosis?

Study for the Echocardiography Techniques II Exam 2. Equip yourself with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question comes with hints and explanations to prepare you for the test.

Rheumatic heart disease is the classic cause of mitral stenosis. After an untreated or inadequately treated streptococcal infection, an autoimmune inflammatory process scars the mitral valve apparatus. This leads to thickened leaflets, fusion of the commissures, and subvalvular involvement, all of which narrow the mitral orifice and impede diastolic flow. On echocardiography, you’ll see a reduced mitral valve area with doming of the leaflets during diastole and a characteristic fish-mouth or hockey-stick appearance. The result is higher left atrial pressures with enlargement and a tendency toward pulmonary hypertension. Although mitral annular calcification can contribute to stenosis in older patients, and rare congenital malformations or mass obstruction can occur, rheumatic disease remains the most well-established etiology.