Free Practice Questions for ARDMS AE-Adult-Echocardiography Exam

Assessment of left ventricular diastolic function by echocardiography involves evaluating mitral inflow velocities with pulsed wave Doppler (E and A waves), pulmonary venous flow patterns (systolic and diastolic waves), and tissue Doppler imaging of the mitral annulus to measure early diastolic (e') velocities.

This combination allows differentiation of normal versus abnormal relaxation, elevated filling pressures, and grading of diastolic dysfunction. The myocardial performance index evaluates global ventricular function but does not specifically require these Doppler measures. Systolic function is assessed mainly by ejection fraction and wall motion. Mitral regurgitation severity uses color Doppler and vena contracta measurements.

This multiparameter diastolic function evaluation is outlined in the "Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography, 6e", Chapter on Diastolic Function Assessment【20:210-220†Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography】.

The Doppler tissue imaging waveform shown indicates the systolic annular velocity of the tricuspid valve annulus, labeled as S’. This measurement reflects right ventricular systolic function by quantifying the velocity of longitudinal myocardial motion during systole.

The a’ wave corresponds to atrial contraction, not systole. S’ assesses systolic function, whereas e’ and a’ relate to diastolic phases.

This assessment method is detailed in the "Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography, 6e", Chapter on Right Ventricular Function and Tissue Doppler Imaging【20:320-325†Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography】.

The Doppler signal shown is a continuous wave (CW) Doppler tracing typical of measuring high velocity flow, such as an intracavitary gradient in the left ventricle, often seen in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). CW Doppler is needed to capture the highest velocity flow across the entire ventricular cavity and outflow tract.

Pulsed wave Doppler has limited spatial resolution and cannot measure high velocities without aliasing; thus, it is less useful for localizing gradients in this context. Pulsed wave at mitral leaflet tips is used for mitral inflow assessment, not intracavitary gradients.

This approach is recommended in ASE guidelines for cardiomyopathy and valvular obstruction evaluation【12:ASE Doppler Guidelines†p.120-125】【16:Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography, 6e†p.350-355】

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The recommended method to measure left atrial diameter in the parasternal long axis view is the inner edge to inner edge technique, perpendicular to the aortic root, measured at end-diastole. This approach provides the most reproducible and standardized measurement.

Measurement parallel to the aortic root or at end-systole is less accurate. Outer edge measurements overestimate size.

ASE chamber quantification guidelines specify this method for standardization and reproducibility in adult echocardiography practice【12:ASE Chamber Quantification Guidelines†p.90-95】【16:Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography, 6e†p.120-125】.

The video shows thickened, retracted, and possibly regurgitant valve leaflets with a characteristic appearance seen in drug-induced valvulopathy. Drugs such as ergot derivatives (e.g., methysergide) and appetite suppressants (e.g., fen-phen) can cause fibrotic thickening of valve leaflets mimicking carcinoid heart disease or rheumatic valve disease.

Infective endocarditis presents with vegetations and potentially valve destruction but typically not the diffuse thickening seen here. Rheumatic fever causes leaflet thickening but has a different chronic clinical course. Systemic lupus may cause valve thickening but often involves Libman-Sacks vegetations rather than diffuse fibrosis.

This is discussed in the "Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography, 6e", Chapter on Valvular Heart Disease - Drug Induced and Secondary Causes【20:400-405†Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography】.

The mitral B-bump on M-mode echocardiography represents a distinct anterior motion or thickening of the anterior mitral leaflet during atrial systole. It is associated with elevated left atrial systolic pressure.

The B-bump is a marker of increased left atrial pressure transmitted to the mitral valve, often seen in diastolic dysfunction and conditions causing elevated left atrial pressure.

It is not a direct indicator of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, or mitral stenosis.

This phenomenon is described in the "Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography, 6e", Chapter on Diastolic Function and Mitral Valve Motion【20:215-220†Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography】.

True ventricular aneurysms are lined by scarred myocardium and have a broad neck. Pseudoaneurysms occur after myocardial rupture contained by pericardium or scar tissue and lack myocardium in the wall. Pseudoaneurysms typically have a narrow neck and are more prone to rupture.

Pseudoaneurysms can occur at various locations, not exclusively the apex. Both true aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms may contain thrombus, so this is not a distinguishing feature.

This differentiation is important clinically and is detailed in adult echocardiography and surgical cardiology texts and ASE guidelines【16:Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography, 6e†p.400-405】【12:ASE Cardiac Masses and Aneurysms Guidelines†p.150-160】.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The left ventricular dP/dt is a measure of the rate of rise in left ventricular pressure during isovolumic contraction, which reflects systolic function. It is derived from Doppler echocardiography by measuring the time interval between mitral regurgitant jet velocities of 1 m/s and 3 m/s. Using the simplified Bernoulli equation, the pressure gradient at each velocity is calculated, and the rate of pressure rise (dP/dt) is calculated by dividing the pressure difference by the time interval between these velocities.

A normal left ventricular dP/dt is generally considered to be greater than 1200 mmHg/s. Values lower than this indicate impaired systolic function, as the ventricle is slower to generate pressure during contraction.

For example, a measured time interval of 36 milliseconds (0.036 seconds) between the MR velocities of 1 and 3 m/s corresponds to a dP/dt of approximately 889 mmHg/s, which is mildly reduced, indicating some systolic dysfunction.

The exact extract from the "Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography, 6e" states that normal dP/dt values are typically above 1000 mmHg/s, with >1200 mmHg/s considered a robust indicator of normal systolic function. This measure is useful but requires a measurable mitral regurgitation jet and consistent alignment of the ultrasound beam. Variability in measurement can occur based on technical factors, but the dP/dt remains a useful parameter to quantify systolic function noninvasively.

The echocardiographic image shows measurement of the ascending aorta, identified by its position above the aortic valve and before the arch vessels. The ascending aorta is a critical region assessed for dilation or aneurysm.

The sinus of Valsalva refers to the dilated portion just above the aortic valve cusps, while the aortic root includes the annulus, sinuses, and sinotubular junction. The descending aorta is posterior and visualized in other windows.

This measurement and its importance are detailed in the "Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography, 6e", Chapter on Aortic Root and Ascending Aorta Evaluation【20:380-385†Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography】.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) is obtained by advancing a balloon-tipped catheter into a small branch of the pulmonary artery and inflating the balloon to "wedge" the catheter, thereby occluding forward blood flow and measuring the pressure distal to the occlusion. The measured pressure reflects the pressure in the pulmonary venous system, which closely approximates left atrial pressure (LAP) under normal conditions.

Since the left atrium receives pulmonary venous return before the blood enters the left ventricle, PCWP is a surrogate for LAP, which in turn reflects left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) in the absence of mitral valve disease or pulmonary venous obstruction. PCWP is widely used in clinical and echocardiographic contexts to estimate left heart filling pressures.

It does not estimate right atrial, right ventricular, or left ventricular pressures directly. Right atrial pressure is measured via central venous pressure, right ventricular pressure by catheterization, and left ventricular pressure by direct catheterization.

This concept is extensively discussed in the "Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography, 6e", Chapter on Hemodynamics and Doppler Assessment, with specific emphasis on the use of PCWP to estimate left atrial pressure【20:200-210†Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography】.