If the anterior mitral leaflet prolapses, the MR jet angle is directed:

If the anterior mitral leaflet prolapses, the MR jet angle is directed:

• A. Anteriorly
• B. Posteriorly
• C. Centrally
• D. Inferiorly

Answer: (B)

When the anterior mitral leaflet prolapses, the regurgitant orifice is on the anterior side of the valve. The backward flow from that orifice into the left atrium tends to shoot toward the posterior wall of the atrium, producing a jet directed posteriorly on color Doppler. This pattern contrasts with posterior leaflet prolapse, which more often creates a jet directed anteriorly toward the interatrial septum. Central jets can occur with more uniform coaptation defects, and an inferiorly directed jet isn’t typical for AML prolapse. So the MR jet angle being directed posteriorly fits with the anterior leaflet being the source of the regurgitant flow.

When the anterior mitral leaflet prolapses, the regurgitant orifice is on the anterior side of the valve. The backward flow from that orifice into the left atrium tends to shoot toward the posterior wall of the atrium, producing a jet directed posteriorly on color Doppler. This pattern contrasts with posterior leaflet prolapse, which more often creates a jet directed anteriorly toward the interatrial septum. Central jets can occur with more uniform coaptation defects, and an inferiorly directed jet isn’t typical for AML prolapse. So the MR jet angle being directed posteriorly fits with the anterior leaflet being the source of the regurgitant flow.