Which 2D echocardiographic appearance is characteristic of mitral stenosis?

Which 2D echocardiographic appearance is characteristic of mitral stenosis?

• A. Dilated LA
• B. Right heart enlargement
• C. Hockey stick appearance
• D. Fish mouth deformity

Answer: (C)

Mitral stenosis makes the mitral valve leaflets thick and tethered, so the diastolic opening becomes severely restricted. On 2D echocardiography, the open orifice takes on a distinctive silhouette that clinicians often describe as a hockey-stick shape—the curved, narrow opening created by the thickened leaflets during diastole. This pattern is the most characteristic and readily recognized sign of a stenotic mitral valve on standard 2D views. While a dilated left atrium or right heart enlargement can accompany stenosis due to elevated pressures, they are not specific appearances of the valve itself. (Sometimes the valve opening is also described as fish-mouth in planimetry, but the hockey-stick silhouette is the classic 2D depiction associated with mitral stenosis.)

Mitral stenosis makes the mitral valve leaflets thick and tethered, so the diastolic opening becomes severely restricted. On 2D echocardiography, the open orifice takes on a distinctive silhouette that clinicians often describe as a hockey-stick shape—the curved, narrow opening created by the thickened leaflets during diastole. This pattern is the most characteristic and readily recognized sign of a stenotic mitral valve on standard 2D views. While a dilated left atrium or right heart enlargement can accompany stenosis due to elevated pressures, they are not specific appearances of the valve itself. (Sometimes the valve opening is also described as fish-mouth in planimetry, but the hockey-stick silhouette is the classic 2D depiction associated with mitral stenosis.)