The most common congenital heart valve defect is?

PGIMS Rohtak NO - 2017

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: PGIMS Rohtak NO - 2017

Explanation

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most prevalent congenital cardiac valvular anomaly, affecting approximately 1–2% of the general population.
It is a condition present at birth where the aortic valve has only two leaflets (cusps) instead of the normal three.
This structural abnormality can predispose individuals to complications such as aortic stenosis (narrowing), aortic regurgitation (leakage), and aneurysm of the ascending aorta later in life.
The provided image clearly illustrates the anatomical difference between a normal tricuspid aortic valve and a bicuspid aortic valve.

Option B: While mitral valve prolapse is a common valvular condition, it is often degenerative or acquired later in life and is not the most frequent congenital valve defect.
Option C: Mitral stenosis is most commonly an acquired condition, typically resulting from rheumatic heart disease, which is a complication of untreated streptococcal infections. It is rarely congenital.
Option D: Pulmonary stenosis is a congenital heart defect, but its incidence is lower than that of a bicuspid aortic valve.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Identification of the most common congenital heart valve defect as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Patients with a bicuspid aortic valve require lifelong surveillance, typically with periodic echocardiograms, to monitor for the development of valve stenosis, regurgitation, or aortic dilation/aneurysm.
A key physical assessment finding can be a systolic ejection click, best heard at the apex or right upper sternal border.
Due to its heritable nature, screening of first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, children) of an individual with BAV is often recommended.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'most common' and 'congenital heart valve defect'. This directs you to find the most prevalent defect that is present from birth.
Analyze the provided image. It shows a direct comparison between a normal three-leaflet aortic valve and a two-leaflet (bicuspid) aortic valve, which is a strong visual clue.
Evaluate each option. Consider whether the condition is primarily congenital and its relative frequency.
Recall or deduce that Bicuspid Aortic Valve is a well-known congenital anomaly. Its prevalence of 1-2% makes it the most common one.
Eliminate the other options based on their etiology and prevalence. Mitral stenosis is usually acquired (rheumatic). Mitral valve prolapse is common but often degenerative. Pulmonary stenosis is congenital but less frequent than BAV.
Synthesize the information from the question, image, and your knowledge to select 'Bicuspid aortic valve' as the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Identification of the most common congenital heart valve defect.
Stem keywords: congenital heart valve defect, most common
Lead-in keywords: is
Clinical cues: The image provided shows a diagram of a bicuspid aortic valve, which is a major clue.

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