CPR imaging Flashcards
what is the most sensitive test for a pt presenting with sudden onset tachycardia, chest pain and dyspnea?
CT- although the “gold standard” for a pulmonary emboli is angiography
what is a good imaging technique to check for horse shoe kidney, associated with trisomies?
post natal ultrasound (usually done soon after birth), do not use contrast because it could exacerbate a renal issue.
what are the indications for echocardiogram (dx cardio US)?
evaluate congenital heart defects changes in heart size pumping strength (ejection fraction and CO) damage to heart muscle valvular dysfunction presence of pericardial effusion guidance of pericardiocentesis
what are the pros of transthoracic echocardiograms (TTEs)?
usually first-line cardiac imaging modality because its widely available, non invasive, no radiation risk
what are the risks of echocardiograms?
during stress echo, exercise may cause temporary dysrhythmia and rarely heart attacks
echocardiograms create pictures of what?
hearts chambers, valves , walls, and blood vessels
doppler echo creates what?
colorized image to assess speed and direction of blood flow
what are the pros of using doppler echo?
find blood flow abnormalities in cardiac arteries missed by traditional ultrasound
what are the indications for continuous doppler echo?
measures high velocities: pulm. HTN and aortic stenosis
what are the indications for pulsed doppler?
assess low velocities: mitral/tricuspid inflow, atrial appendage flow, ventricular outflows
what are the indications for color flow doppler?
assess regurgitant flows
intracardiac shunts (ASD, VSD)
assess pulmonary vein flow
what are the risks for doppler echo?
none
what is the most commonly used transducer position and why?
left lateral decubitus - left-handed scanning is more ergonomic and lower risk of sonographer orthopedic injuries.
what is the most common congenital cardiac anomaly?
ventricular septal defect (VSD)
In VSDs what are the effects of small and large lesions?
small lesions may be asymptomatic with harsh pansystolic (plateau) murmurs
large lesions may cause signs of heart failure
what is the best method for visualizing VSDs?
echo- allows direct visualization of the septal defect with no radiation exposure
CTA with ECG- gating allows direct visualization but with risk of radiation exposure
coarctation of the aorta
aortic narrowing near insertion of ductus arteriosus
what are the signs of coarctation of the aorta?
HTN in UE, weak pulses in LE (brachial-femoral delay)
what is the imaging of choice for coarctation of the aorta?
echo ESTABLISHES the dx and severity in most cases
CTA can be complimentary imaging tool important prior to intervention
what is the MUGA Scan?
multiple gated acquisition scan; assesses cardiac pumping function and measures ejection fraction via radiotracer that causes gamma ray emissions that are detected to create an image
what are the indications for MUGA?
detect for causes of reduced ejection fraction:
heart failure, damaged myocardium from MI or cardiomyopathy
can help answer why a patient has angina, dizziness, dyspnea or fatigue
pros of MUGA
accurate, reproducible, non invasive
- measured EF is more precise vs other cardiac tests
- can localize abnormally functioning myocardium to find blocked coronary arteries
what are the risks of MUGA?
low level of radioactivity unknown to cause any short/long-term damage, allergic reaction to tracer
what are the contraindications of MUGA?
renal disease, pregnant or breast-feeding women
what is the gold standard for Coronary artery disease (CAD)?
coronary angiography
what are the indications for coronary angiography?
CAD, acute MI, valvular disease, CHF
used prior to percutaneous coronary intervention or non-cardiac surgery
what are the contraindications for coronary angiography?
renal failure, contrast medium allergy (shellfish?), coagulopathy, uncontrolled HTN, decompensated HF, GI hemorrhage, pregnancy, active infection
what are the cons of coronary angiography?
expensive, procedural risks
what are the cons of coronary angiography?
expensive, procedural risks
what is a CTA?
computed tomography angiography: CT scan with injection of contrast to produce pictures of blood vessels and organs such as the heart, brain, kidneys, liver, etc.
what are the indications for a CTA?
locate aneurysms, blockages, clots, vascular malformation, stenosis, injury, vessel rupture/dissection, pulmonary embolism.
what are the risks for CTA?
minimal radiation exposure, allergic reaction to contrast, tissue damage via contrast leakage
Pros of CTA
quick, noninvasive, may eliminate need for surgery, allows surgeries to be performed more accurately, cheaper than catheter angiography
what is the most posterior part of the heart?
the left atrium
what can happen with Left Atrium enlargement?
(e.g. mitral stenosis) can lead to compression of the esophagus causing dysphagia and or left recurrent laryngeal nerve causing hoarseness.
what is the most anterior part of the heart and what is it most susceptible to ?
right ventricle- most commonly injured in trauma
aortic dissection
longitudinal intimal tear forming a false lumen; associated with MARFANS and pts with chronic HTN
what are the signs of aortic dissection?
sudden onset tearing chest pain radiating to the back, unequal BP in arms, diminished or unequal BP peripheral pulses, new diastolic murmur from aortic regurgitation
what is the imaging of choice for aortic dissection and what is a special finding?
CXR shows mediastinal widening. CTA is CHOICE of imaging, because it can diagnose/classify the dissection and evaluate for distal complications.
There flap and false lumen separates ascending and descending aorta in a
CT is the imaging of choice for what?
aortic dissection, aneurysms (thoracic aortic aneurysms), blockages, blood clots, vascular malformations, stenosis, injury, vessel rupture/dissection, pulmonary embolism (use chest CT w/ contrast although pulmonary angiography is the gold standard)
complimentary for coarctation of the aorta
thoracic aortic aneurysm
associated with cystic medial degeneration seen in Marfans
Aortic root dilation can lead to aortic regurgitation and associated symptoms
what are the signs for thoracic aortic aneurysm?
mass effect on airway and esophagus
what is the imaging of choice for thoracic aortic aneurysm?
CTA