Great Vessels Flashcards
Diameter measurements
when are msmts taken for Aortic Annulus, Sinuses of Valsalva, & Sinotuberal Junction
End-diastole
From which windows can the descending thoracic aorta be seen?
PLAX (rotate clockwise to view aorta in sagittal plane) & Apical Two-Chamber (by ambulating laterally)
In patients with large left pleural effusion
descending aorta can be seen thru the effusion at the posterior chest wall
What is a routine measurement in patients with Marfan Syndrome?
Proximal Abdominal Aorta
To detect holodiastolic flow reversal
Adjust (lower) filters
Which anomalies also feature holodiastolic flow reversal?
Patent Ductus Arteriosus, Blalock-Taussig Shunt, aorto-pulmonary window, or other arteriovenous connection
dialysis fistulae in the upper extremity in end-stage renal disease.
The distance from the aortic valve that holodiastolic flow reversal is p
corresponds with severity
What can aid in distinguishing artifact from abnormalities?
Biplane imaging
Bicuspid or Unicuspid aortic valves and Marfan Synrome are often associa
dilated aortic root, or aortic dissection.
AI may also be caused by
aortic root dilatation, dissection flap creating flail aortic leaflet
Dilation of the Aorta can be caused by
hypertension, Takayasu’s Arteritis, Giant Cell Arteritis, Marfan Syndrome, Bix / Unicuspid aortic valves
What change in the vessel wall can indicate inflammatory changes?
Thickening
such as in Ankylosing Spondylitis
Areas of stenosis and dilation of the aortic arch and its branches may be seen in
Takayasu’s Arteritis
What are three essential elements of a dissection flap to demonstrate on imaging?
mobility independent of aortic wall, a thin, mobile, and linear echogenicity, a true and false lumen
a thrombosed false lumen won’t demonstrate mobile flap
Avoid false positives for Aortic Dissection through
biplane imaging, show flow in two distinct lumens, use of Definity
Complications of an aortic dissection may include
aortic insufficiency, pericardial effusion, aortic branch dissections (including coronary arteries)
dissected coronary artery may also cause wall motion abnormality
Congenital sinus of Valsalva aneurysms can result in
irregularly shapped with thin walls
Rupture into adjacent chambers, causing fistulae
from the aorta into the RV, RA, or LA
fistulae have continuous and high flow in systole and diastole
Acquired sinus of Valsalva aneurysms usually are
due to
endocarditis and typically are round and
symmetric
A para-aortic mass may be seen in which cases?
Surgery on the ascending aorta.
Pseudoanuerysm appears adjacent to the oarta. It may clot, forming a hem
