Practice Test Geeks(NBE) National Board of Echocardiography Practice Test
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Transesophageal Echocardiography Flashcards

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

Read the first 7 Transesophageal Echocardiography flashcards as text

  1. On TEE, a patent foramen ovale (PFO) is confirmed by:

    Answer: Agitated saline contrast crossing from right to left atrium within 3 cardiac cycles

    Bubble contrast crossing from right to left within 3 cardiac cycles (especially with Valsalva release) confirms a PFO on TEE.

  2. Which structure is located at the superior aspect of the interatrial septum and can be mistaken for a pathologic mass on TEE?

    Answer: Limbus of the fossa ovalis

    The limbus of the fossa ovalis is a normal thickened ridge at the superior interatrial septum that can appear mass-like on TEE.

  3. TEE is preferred over TTE for evaluation of prosthetic mitral valve regurgitation primarily because:

    Answer: Acoustic shadowing from the prosthesis obscures regurgitant jets on TTE

    Prosthetic valve material causes acoustic shadowing that masks regurgitant jets on transthoracic imaging, while TEE views from behind avoid this artifact.

  4. In the context of TEE during cardiac surgery, which finding best indicates adequate de-airing of the left ventricle before coming off cardiopulmonary bypass?

    Answer: No microbubbles visible in the left ventricular cavity

    Resolution of microbubbles within the LV cavity on TEE confirms adequate de-airing before weaning from bypass.

  5. Which TEE view is used to measure the aortic valve annulus diameter for TAVR planning?

    Answer: Midesophageal aortic valve long-axis view at 120–135°

    The midesophageal aortic valve long-axis view at 120–135° provides an optimal plane for annular diameter measurement for TAVR sizing.

  6. A patient undergoing TEE is found to have an Eustachian valve. This structure represents:

    Answer: A remnant of the right valve of the sinus venosus directing IVC flow

    The Eustachian valve is a normal embryologic remnant of the right valve of the sinus venosus that directed oxygenated IVC blood toward the foramen ovale in fetal life.

  7. On TEE, the pulmonary veins are best interrogated for flow patterns using which Doppler modality?

    Answer: Pulsed-wave Doppler

    Pulsed-wave Doppler placed 1–2 cm into the pulmonary vein orifice is the standard method for assessing pulmonary venous flow patterns.

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