Mitral stenosis is characterized by which of the following sounds?

Mitral stenosis is characterized by a mid-diastolic crescendo rumble due to increased blood flow across the narrowed mitral valve during diastole. As the left atrium contracts, it forces blood through the stenosed mitral valve into the left ventricle, creating turbulence. This results in a low-frequency rumbling sound that typically crescendos as the blood flow increases towards the end of diastole, which is a key feature of mitral stenosis.

Identifying this specific sound during auscultation allows clinicians to differentiate mitral stenosis from other cardiac conditions. The distinct characteristics of this sound are vital for diagnosis and management, thus making the mid-diastolic crescendo rumble the hallmark auscultatory finding associated with mitral stenosis.