Which of the following is NOT a treatment option for mitral stenosis?

Which of the following is NOT a treatment option for mitral stenosis?

• A. Stress testing (supine bike)
• B. Balloon valvuloplasty
• C. Commissurotomy
• D. Valve repair/replacement

Answer: (A)

Stress testing is not a treatment; it’s a diagnostic exercise used to evaluate how well the heart tolerates activity and to gauge symptoms. It does not relieve the obstruction caused by the narrowed mitral valve. Treatments that do address mitral stenosis include balloon valvuloplasty (mitral valvotomy), which opens up the stenotic valve by separating fused leaflets; surgical commissurotomy, where the commissures are surgically split to increase the orifice; and valve repair or replacement, which are definitive surgical options when the valve anatomy or condition isn’t suitable for valvotomy or when there’s additional valve damage.

Stress testing is not a treatment; it’s a diagnostic exercise used to evaluate how well the heart tolerates activity and to gauge symptoms. It does not relieve the obstruction caused by the narrowed mitral valve.

Treatments that do address mitral stenosis include balloon valvuloplasty (mitral valvotomy), which opens up the stenotic valve by separating fused leaflets; surgical commissurotomy, where the commissures are surgically split to increase the orifice; and valve repair or replacement, which are definitive surgical options when the valve anatomy or condition isn’t suitable for valvotomy or when there’s additional valve damage.