ARDMS Echo Congenital Heart Disease 2

Question 1

In coarctation of the aorta, which echocardiographic Doppler finding is characteristic?

Accepted Answer

High-velocity turbulent systolic jet with persistent diastolic antegrade flow ('diastolic tail')

Answer

Coarctation produces a high-velocity systolic jet with a persistent diastolic tail (diastolic runoff) in the descending aorta due to the pressure gradient.

Question 2

What is the echocardiographic hallmark of D-transposition of the great arteries (D-TGA)?

Accepted Answer

The aorta arises from the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery from the left ventricle

Answer

In D-TGA, ventriculoarterial discordance exists: the aorta arises from the morphologic RV and the pulmonary artery from the morphologic LV.

Question 3

Which congenital lesion is associated with a 'double-bubble' appearance on subcostal echo due to bilateral ventricular inflow obstruction?

Accepted Answer

Atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD)

Answer

Complete AVSD features a common AV valve and both atrial and ventricular septal defects, often creating a characteristic 'gooseneck' deformity of the LVOT.

Question 4

A bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is associated with which aortic complication requiring surveillance?

Accepted Answer

Ascending aortic dilation and risk of dissection

Answer

BAV is associated with aortopathy — medial degeneration predisposing to ascending aortic dilation, aneurysm, and dissection independent of valve function.

Question 5

In Eisenmenger syndrome, the shunt direction in an ASD or VSD reverses because:

Accepted Answer

Pulmonary hypertension raises RV pressure to exceed LV pressure, reversing the gradient

Answer

Eisenmenger syndrome occurs when pulmonary vascular resistance rises enough to reverse the shunt from right-to-left, causing cyanosis.

ARDMS Echo - American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography Echocardiography Practice Test

ARDMS Echo - American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography Echocardiography Practice Test

ARDMS Echo Congenital Heart Disease 2