ARDMS Echo Doppler Principles and Applications 2

Question 1

The PISA (proximal isovelocity surface area) method is used to quantify which cardiac abnormality?

Accepted Answer

Regurgitant valve orifice area and flow

Answer

The PISA method calculates effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) and regurgitant volume by measuring the radius of the convergence hemisphere upstream of a regurgitant orifice.

Question 2

Which Doppler finding characterizes severe mitral regurgitation on continuous wave Doppler?

Accepted Answer

Dense, triangular-shaped MR signal with early peak

Answer

Severe MR produces a dense, triangular CW Doppler signal peaking early due to rapid equalization of LV and LA pressures.

Question 3

What does a pulmonary vein systolic flow reversal on Doppler indicate?

Accepted Answer

Severe mitral regurgitation

Answer

Systolic flow reversal in pulmonary veins is a specific finding for severe mitral regurgitation reflecting elevated LA pressure and retrograde jet.

Question 4

Which Doppler parameter is measured to estimate mean mitral valve gradient in mitral stenosis?

Accepted Answer

Mean pressure gradient from the mitral inflow VTI

Answer

Mean pressure gradient in MS is derived by tracing the mitral inflow Doppler envelope and applying the modified Bernoulli equation across the diastolic period.

Question 5

In Doppler echocardiography, what does the velocity-time integral (VTI) represent?

Accepted Answer

Stroke distance — the linear distance blood travels per beat

Answer

VTI (cm) represents the distance blood travels per cardiac cycle, calculated by integrating velocity over time from the Doppler spectral envelope.

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 Principles and Applications 2