Practice Test Geeks(CCS) Certified Cardiovascular Specialist Practice Test
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Diagnostic Testing & Imaging Flashcards

7 cards from real CCS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Diagnostic Testing & Imaging flashcards as text

  1. A transesophageal echocardiogram reveals a mobile echodense mass in the left atrial appendage. Which condition is this most commonly associated with?

    Answer: Atrial fibrillation

    Left atrial appendage thrombus most commonly occurs in the setting of atrial fibrillation due to stasis and impaired LAA contractility.

  2. Which ECG finding is most specific for acute pericarditis?

    Answer: Diffuse saddle-shaped ST elevation with PR depression

    Diffuse saddle-shaped ST elevation across multiple territories with PR depression is the hallmark ECG pattern of acute pericarditis.

  3. During dobutamine stress echocardiography, which response pattern indicates hibernating myocardium with viability?

    Answer: Biphasic response: improved wall motion at low dose, worsening at high dose

    The biphasic response — improvement at low-dose dobutamine followed by worsening at high dose — indicates viable but ischemic (hibernating) myocardium.

  4. Which finding on resting ECG is considered a contraindication to performing a standard exercise treadmill test?

    Answer: Acute STEMI on the presenting ECG

    Acute ST-elevation MI is an absolute contraindication to exercise stress testing, as the patient requires emergent management, not further diagnostic testing.

  5. A 72-year-old man has severe aortic stenosis with low EF (30%) and low mean gradient (25 mmHg). What imaging test best distinguishes true severe AS from pseudo-severe AS?

    Answer: Low-dose dobutamine stress echocardiography

    Low-dose dobutamine DSE increases flow and unmasks true severe AS (gradient rises with preserved AVA) versus pseudo-severe AS (gradient remains low as AVA increases).

  6. On a pulmonary artery catheter tracing, a tall 'V' wave in the PCWP waveform most commonly indicates:

    Answer: Acute mitral regurgitation

    Large V waves in the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure tracing reflect regurgitant volume filling the left atrium during systole, characteristic of acute MR.

  7. What is the primary utility of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) during percutaneous coronary intervention?

    Answer: Assessing vessel size, plaque burden, and stent expansion

    IVUS provides cross-sectional imaging of the coronary artery wall to guide stent sizing, assess plaque characteristics, and confirm adequate stent apposition.