American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

What value of Vmax indicates a diagnosis of mild aortic stenosis?

1. Less than 2.0 m/s

2. 2.0-2.9 m/s

3. 3.0-3.9 m/s

4. 4.0 m/s or greater

The correct answer is: 2.0-2.9 m/s

A value of Vmax between 2.0 and 2.9 m/s indicates a diagnosis of mild aortic stenosis. In the context of aortic stenosis, Vmax refers to the peak velocity of blood flow across the aortic valve measured during echocardiography. This peak velocity helps to categorize the severity of the stenosis. In mild aortic stenosis, the left ventricular outflow tract is only subtly obstructed, allowing for relatively normal blood flow. The threshold of 2.0 to 2.9 m/s signifies that there is an increase in velocity due to some narrowing at the valve level but not to a degree that would classify the condition as moderate or severe. Values less than 2.0 m/s typically indicate a normal functioning aortic valve with no stenosis, while values of 3.0-3.9 m/s and 4.0 m/s or greater would reflect moderate and severe aortic stenosis, respectively. Consequently, the range of 2.0 to 2.9 m/s is the hallmark for identifying mild aortic stenosis in clinical practice.