Technology & Digital Tools Flashcards

Which artificial intelligence application has received FDA clearance for detecting atrial fibrillation from a single-lead ECG signal in sinus rhythm?

Answer: Apple Watch ECG algorithm using deep neural networks

The Apple Watch ECG algorithm, developed with Mayo Clinic, uses deep learning to detect AF signatures even during sinus rhythm from a single-lead recording.

In cardiac CT angiography, a coronary calcium score (Agatston score) of 400 places a patient in which cardiovascular risk category?

Answer: High risk, equivalent to a CHD risk event rate >2% per year

An Agatston score >300–400 indicates extensive calcification and places patients in a high-risk category warranting intensified preventive therapy.

A biventricular pacemaker used for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves cardiac output primarily by:

Answer: Coordinating simultaneous right and left ventricular activation to reduce dyssynchrony

CRT resynchronizes dyssynchronous ventricular contraction in LBBB, improving stroke volume and reducing mitral regurgitation.

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) probe cleaning between cases MUST follow which disinfection level to prevent transmission of pathogens?

Answer: High-level disinfection (HLD) using glutaraldehyde, ortho-phthalaldehyde, or hydrogen peroxide

TEE probes are semi-critical devices requiring high-level disinfection per CDC and AIUM guidelines to eliminate all microorganisms except bacterial spores.

Which hemodynamic parameter is measured by a thermodilution pulmonary artery catheter (Swan-Ganz) that cannot be obtained by echocardiography alone?

Answer: Cardiac output measured by thermodilution with cold saline injection

Thermodilution cardiac output requires a PA catheter for cold injectate delivery and thermistor measurement, which cannot be replicated non-invasively by echo.

A pacemaker programmed in DDD mode with a lower rate limit of 60 bpm and upper tracking limit of 130 bpm will behave how during sinus tachycardia at 150 bpm?

Answer: Track at 130 bpm maximum, then apply Wenckebach-type upper rate behavior

When atrial rate exceeds the upper tracking limit in DDD mode, the device responds with Wenckebach upper rate behavior, dropping some P-waves.

Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) is a novel catheterization laboratory technology that estimates FFR by:

Answer: Computational fluid dynamics applied to 3D coronary reconstruction from biplane angiography without a pressure wire

QFR uses 3D coronary reconstruction from two angiographic projections combined with fluid dynamics modeling to compute a virtual FFR without a pressure wire.