Adult Echo

Question 1

What is the most common associated defect with Ebstein’s Anomaly?

Answer 1

Secundum ASDs with Ebstein’s Anomaly.

Question 2

How is the pulmonary artery wedge pressure determined?

Answer 2

A Swan-Ganz catheter is positioned in the pulmonary artery, and a small balloon is inflated at the catheter’s tip.

The balloon is then floated and wedged into a smaller pulmonary artery.
A pressure reading is obtained distal to the balloon.
The inflated balloon prevents the tip of the catheter from sensing the pulmonary pressure, and the left atrial pressure is recorded as it is reflected across the pulmonary bed

Question 3

A 22-year-old male complains of chest pain following exercise. An echocardiogram displays concentric left ventricular hypertrophy (2.5 cm) and a small LV cavity size. Systolic motion of the mitral leaflet (SAM) and pericardial effusion are not observed. What is the most likely diagnosis for this patient?

Answer 3

The findings of concentric left ventricular hypertrophy and a small LV cavity size is diagnostic of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Question 4

Which echocardiographic view and technique is best for assessing a patent ductus arteriosus?

Answer 4

The parasternal short-axis view, at the level of the aorta, is the best echocardiographic view for detecting patent ductus arteriosus in adults. Color flow Doppler imaging is the best technique for detecting shunt flow.

Usually, blood flows through the shunt in a left-to-right direction (from the aorta to the pulmonary artery).

Question 5

In the apical four-chamber view, which two walls of the left ventricle are seen?

Answer 5

In the apical four-chamber view, the inferoseptal and anterolateral walls of the left ventricle are seen.