CCI Echocardiography Techniques and Applications 2

Question 1

Which echocardiographic finding is characteristic of cardiac tamponade?

Accepted Answer

Right ventricular diastolic collapse and respiratory variation in mitral inflow >25%

Answer

Cardiac tamponade produces RV diastolic collapse, RA systolic collapse, and >25% respiratory variation in mitral inflow velocity due to elevated pericardial pressure.

Question 2

What is the normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) range according to American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) guidelines?

Accepted Answer

≥55%

Answer

ASE guidelines define normal LVEF as ≥55%, with mildly reduced EF at 41–54%, moderately reduced at 30–40%, and severely reduced at <30%.

Question 3

In two-dimensional echocardiography, which method of calculating LVEF traces the endocardial border in two orthogonal apical views?

Accepted Answer

Simpson's biplane method of discs

Answer

Simpson's biplane method of discs traces the endocardial border in the apical four-chamber and two-chamber views to calculate LV volumes and ejection fraction.

Question 4

Which finding on echocardiography is most consistent with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM)?

Accepted Answer

Asymmetric septal hypertrophy with systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve

Answer

HOCM is characterized by asymmetric septal hypertrophy (ASH) and systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the mitral valve, which causes dynamic LVOT obstruction.

Question 5

What is the primary advantage of harmonic imaging over fundamental imaging in echocardiography?

Accepted Answer

Reduced side lobe artifacts and improved endocardial border definition

Answer

Harmonic imaging uses the second harmonic frequency generated by tissue, reducing near-field artifacts and side lobes to improve endocardial border visualization.

CCI - Cardiovascular Credentialing International Practice Test

CCI - Cardiovascular Credentialing International Practice Test

CCI Echocardiography Techniques and Applications 2