The hockey stick appearance on 2D echocardiography is characteristic of which valve pathology?

The hockey stick appearance on 2D echocardiography is characteristic of which valve pathology?

• A. Aortic stenosis
• B. Tricuspid regurgitation
• C. Mitral stenosis
• D. Pulmonary regurgitation

Answer: (C)

The hockey stick appearance on 2D echocardiography is a classic sign of mitral stenosis, typically from rheumatic disease. In severe MS the mitral leaflets become thickened and the anterior leaflet domes and remains restricted during diastole. When you image the valve, this restricted anterior leaflet and the altered diastolic opening create a straight, elongated silhouette that resembles a hockey stick, especially in the parasternal long-axis view. This visual cue highlights the restricted motion and narrowed orifice of the mitral valve. Other valve pathologies listed would produce different findings: valve areas or jets characteristic of aortic stenosis, tricuspid regurgitation, or pulmonary regurgitation, none of which produce the hockey stick contour of the mitral leaflet seen in MS.

The hockey stick appearance on 2D echocardiography is a classic sign of mitral stenosis, typically from rheumatic disease. In severe MS the mitral leaflets become thickened and the anterior leaflet domes and remains restricted during diastole. When you image the valve, this restricted anterior leaflet and the altered diastolic opening create a straight, elongated silhouette that resembles a hockey stick, especially in the parasternal long-axis view. This visual cue highlights the restricted motion and narrowed orifice of the mitral valve.

Other valve pathologies listed would produce different findings: valve areas or jets characteristic of aortic stenosis, tricuspid regurgitation, or pulmonary regurgitation, none of which produce the hockey stick contour of the mitral leaflet seen in MS.