CET CET Cardiac Pathology & Disease Recognition

Question 1

Which echocardiographic finding is most characteristic of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM)?

Accepted Answer

Systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the mitral valve

Answer

SAM of the mitral valve is the hallmark echocardiographic finding of HOCM, causing dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

Question 2

On echocardiography, which pattern of ventricular filling is most consistent with constrictive pericarditis?

Accepted Answer

Respiratory variation in mitral inflow velocities >25%

Answer

Constrictive pericarditis characteristically shows >25% respiratory variation in mitral inflow E velocity due to ventricular interdependence.

Question 3

Which echocardiographic feature best distinguishes cardiac tamponade from constrictive pericarditis?

Accepted Answer

Right ventricular diastolic collapse in tamponade

Answer

Right ventricular diastolic collapse (free wall) is a sensitive echocardiographic sign specific to cardiac tamponade physiology.

Question 4

A patient with rheumatic heart disease most commonly shows which mitral valve echocardiographic pattern?

Accepted Answer

Thickened leaflets with diastolic doming and commissural fusion

Answer

Rheumatic mitral stenosis classically shows thickened, immobile leaflets with a hockey-stick doming pattern and commissural fusion on 2D echo.

Question 5

Which echocardiographic finding is pathognomonic for Ebstein's anomaly?

Accepted Answer

Apical displacement of the tricuspid valve >8mm/m² BSA

Answer

Apical displacement of the septal tricuspid leaflet insertion >8mm/m² BSA is the defining echocardiographic criterion for Ebstein's anomaly.

(CET) Certified Echocardiography Technician Practice Test