Echocardiography Techniques II Exam 2 Practice 2026 – Comprehensive All-in-One Resource to Master Your Exam!

Mitral stenosis narrows the valve opening by thickened, often fused leaflets, so the diastolic flow across the valve is restricted. On 2D echocardiography a hallmark is diastolic doming of the mitral leaflets, especially the anterior leaflet, as blood tries to rush through the narrowed orifice during diastole. This bowing creates the characteristic domed appearance seen on imaging and is the best visual cue for MS.

Systolic anterior motion is associated with LV outflow tract obstruction, not mitral stenosis. Normal left atrial size is unlikely in MS because chronically elevated left atrial pressure typically enlarges the left atrium. Thick interatrial septum isn’t a typical feature of MS either.