Question

A 68-year-old man comes to the emergency department because of a 1-week history of difficulty breathing. He has had recurrent palpitations over the past 2 years. During this time, he has also had several episodes of anxiety despite no change in his daily life. He has occasional sharp chest pain localized to the left upper sternal border. He has no abdominal pain or leg swelling. Two years ago, he had streptococcal pharyngitis, which was promptly treated with a 10-day course of penicillin. He has never traveled outside of the country, His temperature is 36.5°C (97.7° F), pulse is 82/min, and blood pressure is 140/85 mm Hg. Physical examination shows a 316 holosystolic murmur that is loudest at the apex and radiates to the loft axilla preceded by a mid-systolic click. Bl. crackles are heard on lung auscultation. What is the most likely etiology of the patient's cardiovascular disorder? Answers A-E A Myxomatous valve degeneration B Overproduction of catecholamines C Ectopic production of serotonin D Inflammatory valve degeneration O E Calcific valve degeneration

Answer 1

#. The correct option is A)

Diagnosis - Mitral regurgitation

Myxomatous degeneration is a process that occurs when the valve becomes thickened with formation of small nodules on the edges of the leaflets. This prevents complete closing of the valves and as a result blood can flow backward into the left atrium. The resultant backflow is called mitral regurgitation.