ARDMS Echo Doppler Echocardiography 2

Question 1

What is the significance of a diastolic flow reversal in the pulmonary veins on Doppler echocardiography?

Accepted Answer

Indicates elevated left atrial pressure or severe MR

Answer

Diastolic flow reversal in pulmonary veins suggests elevated left atrial pressure or severe mitral regurgitation causing retrograde flow.

Question 2

On pulsed-wave Doppler, the sample volume should be placed where to measure mitral inflow velocities?

Accepted Answer

At the tips of the mitral leaflets

Answer

The sample volume is placed at the tips of the mitral leaflets (leaflet tips) to record the highest E and A wave velocities.

Question 3

Which Doppler parameter is used to estimate pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR)?

Accepted Answer

TR velocity / RVOT VTI

Answer

PVR ≈ 10 × (TR velocity / RVOT VTI); a ratio >0.2 suggests elevated PVR.

Question 4

The PISA (proximal isovelocity surface area) method is used to quantify:

Accepted Answer

Severity of valvular regurgitation or stenosis

Answer

The PISA method uses flow convergence proximal to a regurgitant orifice to calculate the effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) and regurgitant volume.

Question 5

In continuous-wave Doppler, the modified Bernoulli equation (ΔP = 4V²) is used to calculate:

Accepted Answer

Pressure gradient across an obstruction

Answer

The simplified Bernoulli equation converts peak Doppler velocity to pressure gradient: ΔP = 4V², ignoring the proximal velocity when it is <1.5 m/s.

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

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

ARDMS Echo Doppler Echocardiography 2