Great Vessels

Question 1

Diameter measurements

when are msmts taken for Aortic Annulus, Sinuses of Valsalva, & Sinotuberal Junction

Answer 1

End-diastole

Question 2

From which windows can the descending thoracic aorta be seen?

Answer 2

PLAX (rotate clockwise to view aorta in sagittal plane) & Apical Two-Chamber (by ambulating laterally)

Question 3

In patients with large left pleural effusion

Answer 3

descending aorta can be seen thru the effusion at the posterior chest wall

Question 4

What is a routine measurement in patients with Marfan Syndrome?

Answer 4

Proximal Abdominal Aorta

Question 5

To detect holodiastolic flow reversal

Answer 5

Adjust (lower) filters

Question 6

Which anomalies also feature holodiastolic flow reversal?

Answer 6

Patent Ductus Arteriosus, Blalock-Taussig Shunt, aorto-pulmonary window, or other arteriovenous connection

dialysis fistulae in the upper extremity in end-stage renal disease.

Question 7

The distance from the aortic valve that holodiastolic flow reversal is p

Answer 7

corresponds with severity

Question 8

What can aid in distinguishing artifact from abnormalities?

Answer 8

Biplane imaging

Question 9

Bicuspid or Unicuspid aortic valves and Marfan Synrome are often associa

Answer 9

dilated aortic root, or aortic dissection.

Question 10

AI may also be caused by

Answer 10

aortic root dilatation, dissection flap creating flail aortic leaflet

Question 11

Dilation of the Aorta can be caused by

Answer 11

hypertension, Takayasu’s Arteritis, Giant Cell Arteritis, Marfan Syndrome, Bix / Unicuspid aortic valves

Question 12

What change in the vessel wall can indicate inflammatory changes?

Answer 12

Thickening

such as in Ankylosing Spondylitis

Question 13

Areas of stenosis and dilation of the aortic arch and its branches may be seen in

Answer 13

Takayasu’s Arteritis

Question 14

What are three essential elements of a dissection flap to demonstrate on imaging?

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Avoid false positives for Aortic Dissection through

Answer 15

biplane imaging, show flow in two distinct lumens, use of Definity

Question 16

Complications of an aortic dissection may include

Answer 16

aortic insufficiency, pericardial effusion, aortic branch dissections (including coronary arteries)

dissected coronary artery may also cause wall motion abnormality

Question 18

Congenital sinus of Valsalva aneurysms can result in

irregularly shapped with thin walls

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Acquired sinus of Valsalva aneurysms usually are

due to

Answer 19

endocarditis and typically are round and
symmetric

Question 20

A para-aortic mass may be seen in which cases?

Answer 20

Surgery on the ascending aorta.

Pseudoanuerysm appears adjacent to the oarta. It may clot, forming a hem