Sandbox/MS

Identify cardinal findings that increase the pretest probability of mitral stenosis ❑ Mid diastolic murmur ❑ Low-pitched diastolic rumble ❑ Associated with an opening snap ❑ Best heard at the cardiac apex ❑ Radiating to the axilla ❑ Increases with lying down, raising the legs and with exercise ❑ Decreases with valsalva maneuver and amyl nitrate ❑ Reduced pulse pressure

Does the patient have any of the following findings of decompensated mitral stenosis that require urgent management? ❑ Tachycardia ❑ Hypotension ❑ Severe dyspnea ❑ Loss of consciousness ❑ Chest pain

Yes

No

What is the complication of mitral stenosis that is causing decompensation?

Continue with the complete diagnostic approach below

Stroke ❑ Suspect in case of: ❑ Sudden weakness or paralysis - face, arm or leg ❑ Speech or visual difficulties ❑ Altered level of consciousness ❑ Sudden severe headache

Atrial fibrillation ❑ Suspect in case of palpitations ❑ Order an ECG immediately looking for ❑ Irregularly irregular rhythm, and ❑ Absent P waves

Pulmonary embolism ❑ Suspect in case of: ❑ Acute onset of exertional dyspnea or dyspnea at rest ❑ Pleuritic or substernal chest pain ❑ Hemoptysis

Pulmonary hypertension ± right sided heart failure ❑ Suspect in case of severe dyspnea ❑ Increased jugular venous pressure immediately ❑ Hepatomegaly ± pulsatile liver

Click here for stroke resident survival guide

Click here for atrial fibrillation resident survival guide

Click here for pulmonary embolism resident survival guide

Click here for Pulmonary hypertension resident survival guide, or Click here for Acute heart failure resident survival guide