AE-Adult-Echocardiography Exam Questions and Answers

QUESTION: 17

Which artery is identified by the arrow on this image?

Left common carotid
Brachiocephalic
Left subclavian
Right common carotid

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

The image is a suprasternal or high parasternal echocardiographic view of the aortic arch and its branches. The arrow points to the first large branch arising from the aortic arch, which is the brachiocephalic artery (also called the innominate artery). This vessel courses superiorly and bifurcates into the right common carotid and right subclavian arteries.

The left common carotid artery is the second branch from the arch, the left subclavian artery is the third branch, and the right common carotid is a branch of the brachiocephalic artery, not directly off the arch.

This anatomic arrangement and its echocardiographic depiction are well documented in adult
12:ASE Vascular Imaging echocardiography references and vascular ultrasound guidelines

16:Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography, 6ep.400-405.
Guidelinesp.270-275

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QUESTION: 18

Which condition is most plausible based on the finding indicated by the arrow on this image?

Cardiac tamponade
Constrictive pericarditis
Pulmonary embolism
Pulmonary hypertension

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

The image is a parasternal long axis M-mode echocardiographic tracing demonstrating the interventricular septum and posterior left ventricular wall. The arrow points to the septal "bounce" or "shudder," which is an abnormal early diastolic septal motion.

This septal bounce is a classic echocardiographic finding in constrictive pericarditis, caused by rapid early diastolic filling with abrupt cessation due to pericardial constraint, resulting in paradoxical septal motion.

Cardiac tamponade usually shows pericardial effusion with chamber collapse but not septal bounce. Pulmonary embolism and pulmonary hypertension have different echocardiographic signs such as right ventricular dilatation and pressure overload but no septal bounce.

These features are well described in the "Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography" and ASE pericardial
16:Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography, 6ep.280-28512:ASE Pericardial disease guidelines

.
Disease Guidelinesp.300-305

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QUESTION: 19

Which valvular pathology is illustrated in this left heart pressure tracing?

Mitral stenosis
Aortic stenosis
Mitral regurgitation
Aortic regurgitation

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The pressure tracing shows left atrial (LA), left ventricular (LV), and aortic (AO) pressures over time. The key feature is the large pressure gradient between the LA and LV during diastole (arrow pointing at early diastolic phase), where the LA pressure is elevated and there is a delayed, gradual rise in LV pressure during diastolic filling. This finding is typical of mitral stenosis, where obstruction at the mitral valve causes increased LA pressure and a pressure gradient between LA and LV during diastole.

In aortic stenosis, the pressure gradient is primarily between LV and AO during systole. Mitral regurgitation shows elevated LA pressure but not a diastolic gradient. Aortic regurgitation shows elevated LV diastolic pressure with aortic diastolic pressure falling.

These characteristic hemodynamic patterns are described in clinical cardiology and echocardiography literature and hemodynamic references such as the "Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography" and
16:Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography, 6ep.360-
cardiac catheterization textbooks

12:Hemodynamic Textsp.50-60.

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QUESTION: 20

An intravenous drug user presents with a fever of unknown origin, flu-like symptoms, dyspnea, and chest pain.
Which ultrasound finding is mostly likely associated with this presentation?

Aortic dissection
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Mitral valve prolapse
Endocarditis

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

Intravenous drug use is a major risk factor for infective endocarditis, particularly involving the tricuspid valve and sometimes left-sided valves. Symptoms like fever, flu-like illness, dyspnea, and chest pain suggest possible septic emboli or valve destruction.

Echocardiographic findings associated with endocarditis include mobile echogenic masses attached to valve leaflets (vegetations), valve thickening, or destruction. These findings are diagnostic and guide treatment.

Aortic dissection, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and mitral valve prolapse can present with different clinical features and echocardiographic findings not consistent with infectious vegetations.

These clinical and echocardiographic correlations are detailed in the ASE guidelines on infective
16:Textbook of Clinical endocarditis and the "Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography"

12:ASE Infective Endocarditis Guidelinesp.380-390.
Echocardiography, 6ep.470-475

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QUESTION: 21

Which finding is associated with coarctation of the aorta?

Atrial septal defect
Ventricular septal defect
Left ventricular hypertrophy
Right ventricular hypertrophy

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) causes obstruction of blood flow in the descending aorta leading to increased afterload on the left ventricle. This pressure overload results in left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) as the heart compensates for the increased resistance.

Atrial septal defect and ventricular septal defect are separate congenital defects not necessarily associated with CoA. Right ventricular hypertrophy occurs mainly with pulmonary hypertension or right heart pressure overload.

LVH is a well-recognized echocardiographic finding in CoA and is used to assess severity and chronic effects of the lesion in adult echocardiography references and ASE congenital heart disease
16:Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography, 6ep.550-55512:ASE Congenital guidelines.
Guidelinesp.410-420

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QUESTION: 22

Which echogenic structure is indicated by the arrow on this image?

Vegetation
Tumor
Thrombus
Annular calcification

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

The image is a parasternal long-axis echocardiographic view focusing on the mitral valve annulus with a highly echogenic, dense, and well-defined structure located at the base of the posterior mitral leaflet. This appearance is characteristic of mitral annular calcification (MAC), a degenerative process resulting in calcium deposition along the mitral valve annulus.

Vegetations appear as irregular, mobile masses attached to valve leaflets and are less dense. Tumors and thrombi have different echogenicity and locations (tumors often in atria, thrombi in atrial appendages). MAC is usually more echogenic and localized to the annulus.

This description and differentiation are found in adult echocardiography textbooks and ASE
16:Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography,
guidelines on cardiac masses and valvular calcifications

12:ASE Guidelines on Cardiac Massesp.150-160.
6ep.460-465

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QUESTION: 23

Which technique best determines a trileaflet aortic valve from a bicuspid aortic valve?

Visualize all three leaflets simultaneously during systole
Visualize all three leaflets simultaneously during diastole
Use pulsed wave Doppler to demonstrate normal flow velocity
Use continuous wave Doppler to demonstrate normal flow velocity

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

The most reliable technique to distinguish a trileaflet aortic valve from a bicuspid valve is to visualize all three leaflets simultaneously during diastole when the valve is closed. During diastole, the aortic valve leaflets coapt, and the three cusps form a characteristic "Y-shaped" or "Mercedes-Benz" sign on short-axis echocardiographic views, clearly demonstrating the number of leaflets.

Visualization during systole is less reliable because the valve is open, and the leaflets are moving rapidly. Doppler techniques (pulsed or continuous wave) assess flow velocities but do not definitively determine leaflet number, only stenosis severity.

This approach is well documented in adult echocardiography textbooks and ASE valvular imaging guidelines, which emphasize the diastolic short-axis view for valve morphology
16:Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography, 6ep.190-19512:ASE Valve Imaging assessment.
Guidelinesp.180-185

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QUESTION: 24

Which congenital abnormality is most consistent with the findings in this video?

Patent foramen ovale
Ventricular septal defect
Ebstein anomaly
Eisenmenger syndrome

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

The video shows an apical four-chamber or subcostal echocardiographic view demonstrating a markedly enlarged right atrium with atrialization of part of the right ventricle, displacement of the tricuspid valve septal leaflet downward into the RV cavity, and severe tricuspid regurgitation. These findings are hallmark features of Ebstein anomaly, a congenital malformation of the tricuspid valve causing apical displacement of the septal and posterior leaflets.

Patent foramen ovale and ventricular septal defects have different echocardiographic features without tricuspid leaflet displacement. Eisenmenger syndrome refers to advanced pulmonary hypertension due to shunts but is not a specific congenital structural abnormality.

These diagnostic criteria and echocardiographic hallmarks are described in adult congenital heart
16:Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography,
disease literature and echocardiography textbooks

12:ASE Adult Congenital Guidelinesp.400-405.
6ep.570-575

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ARDMS AE-Adult-Echocardiography Exam (page: 3) ARDMS AE Adult Echocardiographyination Updated on: 12-Feb-2026

QUESTION: 17

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QUESTION: 18

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QUESTION: 19

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QUESTION: 20

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QUESTION: 21

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QUESTION: 22

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QUESTION: 23

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QUESTION: 24

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ARDMS AE-Adult-Echocardiography Exam (page: 3)
ARDMS AE Adult Echocardiographyination
Updated on: 12-Feb-2026