Restricted leaflet motion throughout the cardiac cycle, MR caused by rheumatic heart disease or degenerative disease corresponds to which Carpentier type?

Restricted leaflet motion throughout the cardiac cycle, MR caused by rheumatic heart disease or degenerative disease corresponds to which Carpentier type?

• A. Type I
• B. Type IIIa
• C. Type IIIb
• D. Type II

Answer: (B)

Restricted leaflet motion throughout the cardiac cycle points to Carpentier type IIIa. In this pattern the leaflets are restricted in both systole and diastole, typically from leaflet thickening, fusion, or calcification that limits their normal motion. Rheumatic disease commonly produces this bidirectional restriction, and some degenerative processes can too, leading to a mitral valve that cannot open or close fully in either phase. By contrast, type II features excessive motion with prolapse or flail of a leaflet, type I has normal leaflet motion often with annular dilation, and type IIIb shows restriction mainly during systole due to tethering from LV dilation or regional dysfunction.

Restricted leaflet motion throughout the cardiac cycle points to Carpentier type IIIa. In this pattern the leaflets are restricted in both systole and diastole, typically from leaflet thickening, fusion, or calcification that limits their normal motion. Rheumatic disease commonly produces this bidirectional restriction, and some degenerative processes can too, leading to a mitral valve that cannot open or close fully in either phase.

By contrast, type II features excessive motion with prolapse or flail of a leaflet, type I has normal leaflet motion often with annular dilation, and type IIIb shows restriction mainly during systole due to tethering from LV dilation or regional dysfunction.