CSC Diagnostic Imaging & Procedures Flashcards

A pulsed-wave Doppler sample volume placed at the mitral valve tips during diastole measures:

Answer: Transmitral inflow velocities (E and A waves)

Placing the PW Doppler sample at mitral valve tips captures early (E) and late atrial (A) diastolic inflow velocities used to assess diastolic function.

Which echocardiographic view best visualizes the tricuspid valve?

Answer: Apical four-chamber view

The apical four-chamber view provides excellent visualization of both the tricuspid and mitral valves simultaneously.

Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) is most commonly used during:

Answer: Electrophysiology procedures and structural interventions

ICE provides real-time intracardiac guidance during EP ablation procedures and structural heart interventions like ASD closure.

Contrast echocardiography with agitated saline is used primarily to detect:

Answer: Right-to-left intracardiac shunts

Agitated saline contrast (bubble study) opacifies the right heart; appearance of bubbles in the left heart within 3 beats indicates a right-to-left shunt such as a patent foramen ovale.

Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) measures:

Answer: Myocardial wall motion velocities

TDI uses Doppler principles applied to myocardial tissue rather than blood, measuring low-velocity, high-amplitude myocardial motion.

The vena contracta in color Doppler is used to quantify:

Answer: Regurgitant jet severity

The vena contracta is the narrowest portion of the regurgitant jet at the valve orifice and correlates with regurgitation severity.