DSAE 2404
Q22) All of the following criteria, EXCEPT ONE, suggest that a diseased valve would be amenable to balloon valvotomy. Which criteria is the EXCEPTION?
A. Minimal chordal involvement
B. The presence of a left atrial thrombus
C. Thickening largely confined to the leaflet tips
D. No commissural calcification
Answer is B. The presence of a left atrial thrombus (Reason: Left atrial thrombus is a contraindications for balloon valvotomy due to embolisation caused by manipulation of guidewires and balloon catheters).
Echocardiographic score suggests that considerable thickening of all leaflet tissue (8–10 mm) and shortening of all chordal structures extending down to the papillary muscles. Also, presence of commissural calcification should be determined because the dominant mechanism that leads to relief of mitral stenosis is commissural splitting.
DSAE 2404 Q22) All of the following criteria, EXCEPT ONE, suggest that a diseased valve would...