Radiography and other images Flashcards
What is an echocardiogram used for?
Structural evaluation of: Left or right ventricles and their cavities Valves Pericardium Atria and Septa Great Vessels
With 2D Echos, what are the planes?
A) Parasternal Long axis- left atrium ventricle, and aortic arch
B) Parasternal Short Axis (cross-sectional)- Depending on level, can see left ventricle, right ventricle, left/right atrium, pulmonary/tricuspid/aortic valve, pulmonary artery
C) Apical 4 Chamber- coronal section 4 chambers
How can left ventricular ejection fraction be calculated using echocardiogram?
Measure the size of the ventricle at end-systolic and end-diastolic and compare.
What is transoesophageal echocardiogram?
Sedation and bite guard used, probe is passed down oesophagus until in line with heart Used to assess valve function (particularly in replacements) and assessment of infective endocarditis
What is cardiovascular magnetic resonance and when is it indicated?
MRI used to evaluate structure of heart Used quantification of left/right ventricular function, myocardial tissue characterisation, heart failure assessment (cardiomyopathy), ischaemic heart disease (MI/viability/perfusion), adult congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease
How is dying important when using MRIs and what is an example?
Can help enhance contrast of certain structures, allowing for better visualization.
Late Gadolinium Enhancement- Scar tissue will retain more dye, appearing white on the scan, and this allows for characterization of MI damage
What is Computed Tomography Coronary Arteries? What contrast is used in this exam?
CT of coronary arteries.
Use Liquid Iodine- it increases density of the vessels allowing for visualization of the inside and outside of the vessels. Will use beta blockers to slow the heart allowing for images to be taken.
What is a stress test?
Prove or exclude inducible ischaemia in myocardium by using exercise or drugs (dobutamine, atropine, adenosine)
What is an exercise tolerance test?
A form of stress test. In low risk high rate of false positives In high risk, it cannot rule of coronary artery disease
What is a stress echo?
Looks at motion on imaging alongside exercise or drugs. Looks at contractility during stress
What is a nuclear cardiology scan and how does this test work (include protocol)?
SPECT scanner
Rest scan- Gamma-emitting radioactive isotope (thallium, technetium) injected into patient, wait, then camera takes images (will pick up gamma-emission from radioisotope)
Induced stress- Adenosine usually given. Patient is given more radioisotope, more images are taken. The radioisotope (typically bound to ligand that will bind muscle) will move into the heart muscle. Areas of reduced flow wont take up as much of the isotope and will appear less bright.
What is a coronary angiogram?
Uses X-Ray imaging and a catheter with dye to visualize the heart vessels. Can be used in percutaneous coronary intervention to aid in revascularization of coronary vessels caused by stenosis.
What are some abnormalities that may impact the chest cavity?
Pectus Carinatum (protuberant sternum) Pectus Excavatum (indentation) Thoracoplasty Iatrogenic (crushed lungs as thought it would kill TB)
What implications can broken ribs cause and how is it treated?
Pneumothorax (air in pleural space), haemothorax, splinting.
Insert a chest tube into thoracic cavity-allows evacuation of air (or blood) from pleural cavity. May need surgery depeding on extent of damage.
What happens if a pneumothorax is left?
More air can leak out of lung into pleural space, increasing pressure in the thoracic cavity. Venous blood flow is too compressed to return blood to heart.
What happens if fluid accumulates in the thorax? Name it
Pleural effusion (aka hydrothorax) Shows up as cloudy image at costodiaphragmatic angle.
What is a mesothelioma?
Asbestos causing tumour growth along pleural space that increase pressures.
What can asbestos inhalation cause?
Mesothelioma can cause calcification of pleural cavity
What are the internal mammary arteries used for?
Used for bypass of Coronary arteries
What is a fluoroscopy?
Continuous imaging using x-ray can help visualize things like breathing.