Valvular Heart Disease: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Question 1

Which type of valvular heart disease is most prevalent in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Aortic stenosis

Answer

Mitral regurgitation

Answer

Tricuspid regurgitation

Answer

Pulmonary stenosis

Question 2

Identify the gold standard diagnostic test for evaluating valvular heart disease:

Accepted Answer

Echocardiography

Answer

Chest X-ray

Answer

Cardiac catheterization

Answer

Electrocardiogram

Question 3

Which of the following is a characteristic of aortic stenosis, a condition characterized by narrowing of the aortic valve?

Accepted Answer

Narrowing of the aortic valve leading to obstruction of blood flow

Answer

Increased cardiac output

Answer

Regurgitation of blood into the left ventricle

Answer

Preserved ejection fraction

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a commonly recognized type of valvular heart disease?

Accepted Answer

Conduction disorder

Answer

Aortic stenosis

Answer

Mitral regurgitation

Answer

Pulmonary valve atresia

Question 5

Which pathophysiological mechanism is strongly associated with the development of aortic stenosis?

Accepted Answer

Progressive calcification of the aortic valve leaflets

Answer

Autoimmune destruction of valve tissue

Answer

Bacterial infection of the valve

Answer

Congenital malformation of the valve

Question 6

Which diagnostic test is considered the gold standard for evaluating valvular heart disease?

Accepted Answer

Echocardiography

Answer

Chest radiography

Answer

Electrocardiography

Answer

Cardiac catheterization

Question 7

What is the most prevalent cause of pulmonic valve stenosis in adults?

Accepted Answer

Bicuspid pulmonic valve

Answer

Rheumatic fever

Answer

Infective endocarditis

Answer

Congenital malformation

Question 8

Which of the following is a primary etiology of aortic stenosis?

Accepted Answer

Age-related calcification

Answer

Congenital heart defect

Answer

Rheumatic fever

Answer

Infective endocarditis

Question 9

What is the characteristic finding on physical examination in mitral valve prolapse?

Accepted Answer

Systolic click followed by a late systolic murmur

Answer

Diastolic rumble followed by an opening snap

Answer

Loud S1 and S2 heart sounds

Answer

Aortic regurgitant murmur

Question 10

What is the primary indication for surgical intervention in valvular heart disease?

Accepted Answer

Severe valvular stenosis or regurgitation

Answer

Recurrent infective endocarditis

Answer

Progressive heart failure

Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Question 11

Which imaging technique is considered the gold standard for diagnosing valvular heart disease?

Accepted Answer

Echocardiogram

Answer

Chest X-ray

Answer

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Answer

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)

Question 12

What is the primary cause of isolated pulmonary valve stenosis?

Accepted Answer

Congenital malformation

Answer

Rheumatic fever

Answer

Calcification

Answer

Infection

Question 13

Which advantages does transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) offer over surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in treating severe aortic stenosis in high-risk patients?

Accepted Answer

Lower risk of death and major complications

Accepted Answer

No need for heart-lung bypass machine

Accepted Answer

Faster recovery and shorter hospital stay

Answer

Higher risk of valve leakage and need for additional procedures

Question 14

Which of the following factors is most commonly responsible for causing valvular heart disease in the developed world?

Accepted Answer

Calcific aortic stenosis

Answer

Rheumatic fever

Answer

Infective endocarditis

Answer

Mitral valve prolapse

Question 15

The diagnostic test considered the definitive method in confirming valvular heart disease is:

Accepted Answer

Echocardiogram

Answer

Chest X-ray

Answer

Electrocardiogram

Answer

Cardiac catheterization

Question 16

In valvular heart disease, a contraindication for anticoagulation therapy would be:

Accepted Answer

Recent gastrointestinal bleeding

Answer

History of stroke

Answer

Mechanical heart valve

Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Question 17

For severe valvular disease, the most common surgical indication is:

Accepted Answer

Severe aortic stenosis

Answer

Severe mitral regurgitation

Answer

Moderate tricuspid regurgitation

Answer

Mild pulmonary stenosis

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a potential complication associated with valvular heart disease?

Accepted Answer

Asthma

Answer

Heart failure

Answer

Stroke

Answer

Endocarditis

Question 19

Which symptom is most closely associated with mitral valve stenosis?

Accepted Answer

Shortness of breath on exertion

Answer

Difficulty breathing while lying down

Answer

Chest pain

Answer

Extreme tiredness

Question 20

Which imaging technique is considered the most reliable for evaluating valvular heart disease?

Accepted Answer

Transthoracic echocardiography

Answer

Doppler ultrasound

Answer

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging

Answer

Chest X-ray

Question 21

Which characteristic sound is typically heard during auscultation of a patient with mitral valve prolapse?

Accepted Answer

Click in the middle of systole

Answer

Rumbling sound during diastole

Answer

Murmur during systole when blood is ejected

Answer

Continuous murmur throughout systole

Question 22

What is the leading cause of secondary pulmonary hypertension?

Accepted Answer

Heart failure on the left side of the heart

Answer

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Answer

Blood clots in the lungs

Answer

Interstitial lung disease

Question 23

What is the most important aspect of patient education for managing valvular heart disease?

Accepted Answer

Empowering patients to actively participate in their care.

Answer

Providing detailed information about the disease.

Answer

Informing patients about medications and side effects.

Answer

Emphasizing lifestyle changes and diet.

Question 24

For assessing the structure and function of the mitral valve, which imaging technique is most effective?

Accepted Answer

Transthoracic echocardiography

Answer

Cardiac MRI

Answer

CT scan

Answer

Nuclear medicine imaging

Question 25

Which type of valvular heart disease is most prevalent in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Aortic stenosis

Answer

Mitral regurgitation

Answer

Tricuspid regurgitation

Answer

Pulmonary stenosis

Question 26

Which imaging modality is most valuable for the evaluation of valvular heart disease?

Accepted Answer

Transthoracic echocardiography

Answer

Chest X-ray

Answer

Electrocardiogram

Answer

Cardiac catheterization

Question 27

Which of the following is contraindicated in patients with valvular heart disease requiring anticoagulation?

Accepted Answer

Active gastrointestinal bleeding

Answer

Mechanical prosthetic valve

Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Answer

Deep vein thrombosis

Question 28

Which surgical approach is optimal for aortic valve replacement in elderly patients?

Accepted Answer

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)

Answer

Open heart surgery

Answer

Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (mini-AVR)

Answer

Ross procedure

Question 29

Which drug is used to manage symptomatic mitral regurgitation?

Accepted Answer

Beta-blockers

Answer

Diuretics

Answer

Calcium channel blockers

Answer

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

Question 30

How does valvular heart disease increase the risk of infective endocarditis? Explain the mechanisms involved.

Accepted Answer

Damaged heart valves create turbulent blood flow, providing a site for bacteria to attach and form vegetations.

Answer

Valvular heart disease increases cardiac output, leading to a higher risk of bacteremia.

Answer

Patients with valvular heart disease have weakened immune systems, making them more susceptible to infections.

Answer

Antiplatelet medications used to prevent blood clots in valvular heart disease increase the risk of bacterial infections.

Question 31

What is the primary cause of rheumatic heart disease?

Accepted Answer

Streptococcal infection

Answer

Viral infection

Answer

Autoimmune reaction

Answer

Congenital defect

Question 32

Which symptom is strongly associated with severe aortic stenosis?

Accepted Answer

Syncope

Answer

Exertional dyspnea

Answer

Angina

Answer

Orthopnea

Question 33

What is the preferred diagnostic tool for evaluating valvular heart function?

Accepted Answer

Echocardiography

Answer

Electrocardiogram

Answer

Chest X-ray

Answer

Cardiac catheterization

Question 34

Which of the following is an indication for surgical intervention in valvular heart disease?

Accepted Answer

Severe valvular regurgitation or stenosis

Answer

Moderate valvular stenosis

Answer

Asymptomatic valvular disease

Answer

Mild valvular regurgitation

Question 35

Which type of anticoagulant is typically used for patients with mechanical heart valves?

Accepted Answer

Warfarin

Answer

Aspirin

Answer

Heparin

Answer

Clopidogrel

Question 36

Which of the following is a potential complication of infective endocarditis?

Accepted Answer

Stroke

Answer

Myocardial infarction

Answer

Endocarditis

Answer

Pericarditis

Question 37

What is the most common cause of pulmonary valve stenosis?

Accepted Answer

Congenital malformation

Answer

Rheumatic fever

Answer

Atherosclerosis

Answer

Endocarditis

Question 38

What is the primary mechanism of action of diuretics in the management of valvular heart disease?

Accepted Answer

Reducing preload

Answer

Increasing contractility

Answer

Dilating blood vessels

Answer

Blocking sodium channels

Question 39

Identify the most common etiology of mitral regurgitation.

Accepted Answer

Mitral valve prolapse

Answer

Rheumatic heart disease

Answer

Endocarditis

Answer

Ischemic heart disease

Question 40

What is the characteristic heart sound associated with mitral stenosis?

Accepted Answer

Low-pitched, rumbling diastolic murmur

Answer

High-pitched, systolic ejection murmur

Answer

Mid-diastolic clicking sound

Answer

Holosystolic murmur

Question 41

Which of the following conditions increases the risk of developing infective endocarditis?

Accepted Answer

Congenital heart defect

Answer

Obesity

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Diabetes

Question 42

What is the initial pharmacological intervention for acute heart failure secondary to valvular regurgitation?

Accepted Answer

Diuretics

Answer

Corticosteroids

Answer

Nitrates

Answer

Antiarrhythmics

Question 43

Identify the most prevalent valvular heart disease in the elderly population.

Accepted Answer

Aortic stenosis

Answer

Pulmonic stenosis

Answer

Tricuspid regurgitation

Answer

Mitral regurgitation

Question 44

Which imaging modality is employed to visualize valvular vegetations?

Accepted Answer

Transesophageal echocardiography

Answer

Electrocardiography

Answer

Computed tomography

Answer

Chest X-ray

Question 45

In Western countries, the most common cause of aortic stenosis is:

Accepted Answer

Degenerative calcification of the aortic valve

Answer

Rheumatic heart disease

Answer

Congenital bicuspid aortic valve

Answer

Infective endocarditis

Question 46

Which of the following is NOT a typical clinical manifestation of mitral valve prolapse?

Accepted Answer

Pulmonary edema

Answer

Palpitations

Answer

Chest pain

Answer

Dyspnea

Question 47

Which of the following echocardiographic findings is considered diagnostic of infective endocarditis?

Accepted Answer

Mobile vegetation attached to a valve leaflet

Answer

Regurgitant jet

Answer

Valvular thickening

Answer

Increased left ventricular wall thickness

Question 48

For patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis, the recommended initial management approach is:

Accepted Answer

Close clinical monitoring and regular echocardiographic evaluations

Answer

Medical management with diuretics

Answer

Percutaneous aortic valve replacement

Answer

Open-heart valve replacement surgery

Question 49

Which of the following medications is commonly used in the treatment of atrial fibrillation associated with rheumatic heart disease?

Accepted Answer

Warfarin

Answer

Aspirin

Answer

Heparin

Answer

Enoxaparin

Question 50

Which of the following is a major risk factor for the development of pulmonary hypertension in patients with mitral stenosis?

Accepted Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Answer

Obesity

Answer

Hyperthyroidism

Answer

Pregnancy

Question 51

Which of the following is an indication for valve replacement surgery in patients with tricuspid regurgitation?

Accepted Answer

Severe right heart failure due to tricuspid regurgitation

Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Answer

Tricuspid valve vegetation

Answer

Mild pulmonary hypertension