Echocardiogram Cardiac Pathology and 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

Dilated left ventricle with reduced EF

Answer

Pericardial effusion with tamponade physiology

Answer

Flail mitral leaflet with severe regurgitation

Question 2

On 2D echocardiography, a 'snowstorm' appearance in the left ventricle following contrast injection suggests what condition?

Accepted Answer

Non-compaction cardiomyopathy

Answer

Left ventricular thrombus

Answer

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Answer

Cardiac amyloidosis

Question 3

Which pattern of left ventricular wall motion abnormality is most consistent with a left anterior descending (LAD) artery occlusion?

Accepted Answer

Anteroseptal and apical akinesis

Answer

Inferior and posterior wall akinesis

Answer

Lateral wall akinesis only

Answer

Basal inferior akinesis

Question 4

Cardiac amyloidosis on echocardiography classically demonstrates which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Biventricular hypertrophy with a 'sparkling' myocardial texture

Answer

Thin, hypokinetic ventricular walls

Answer

Isolated right ventricular dilation

Answer

Large pericardial effusion without myocardial changes

Question 5

A patient presents with acute chest pain and echocardiography reveals a new regional wall motion abnormality. What is the significance of this finding?

Accepted Answer

It is highly suggestive of acute myocardial ischemia or infarction

Answer

It confirms pericarditis as the etiology

Answer

It is a normal variant in elderly patients

Answer

It indicates hypertensive heart disease

Question 6

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) on echocardiography is characterized by which of the following?

Accepted Answer

LV dilation with globally reduced systolic function

Answer

Concentric LV hypertrophy with normal systolic function

Answer

Asymmetric septal hypertrophy

Answer

Small hyperdynamic LV with preserved EF