ARDMS Echo Cardiac Hemodynamics

Question 1

Which Doppler measurement is used to calculate cardiac output in echocardiography?

Accepted Answer

Stroke volume × heart rate

Answer

Cardiac output is calculated by multiplying stroke volume (derived from LVOT VTI and diameter) by heart rate.

Question 2

What does a restrictive filling pattern on mitral inflow Doppler indicate?

Accepted Answer

Grade III or IV diastolic dysfunction

Answer

A restrictive filling pattern (high E, low A, short deceleration time) corresponds to Grade III or IV (irreversible) diastolic dysfunction.

Question 3

Using the continuity equation, if LVOT diameter is 2 cm, LVOT VTI is 20 cm, and aortic VTI is 80 cm, what is the aortic valve area?

Accepted Answer

0.785 cm²

Answer

AVA = (π × r² × LVOT VTI) / Aortic VTI = (3.14 × 1² × 20) / 80 ≈ 0.785 cm².

Question 4

What does the pressure half-time method estimate in echocardiography?

Accepted Answer

Mitral valve area

Answer

Pressure half-time (PHT = 220/MVA) estimates mitral valve area based on how quickly the diastolic pressure gradient equalizes.

Question 5

Which formula estimates right atrial pressure to calculate pulmonary artery systolic pressure from TR jet velocity?

Accepted Answer

PASP = 4V² + RAP

Answer

PASP is estimated by adding right atrial pressure to the pressure gradient across the tricuspid valve using the simplified Bernoulli equation (4V²).

ARDMS Echo - American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography Echocardiography Practice Test