CCVTC flashcards
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- Ejection fraction
- The percentage of end-diastolic volume ejected during systole; calculated as (EDV − ESV) / EDV × 100; normal is 55–70%.
- Frank-Starling law
- The principle that increased ventricular stretch (preload) increases stroke volume up to a physiological limit, after which further stretch reduces efficiency.
- Cardiac output
- The volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute; calculated as stroke volume multiplied by heart rate; normal resting value is about 4–8 L/min.
- Mitral valve
- The atrioventricular valve between the left atrium and left ventricle, consisting of anterior and posterior leaflets; it prevents backflow during ventricular systole.
- SA node
- The sinoatrial node, the primary pacemaker of the heart located in the right atrium; it initiates electrical impulses at a normal rate of 60–100 beats per minute.
- Right lung lobes
- The right lung is divided into three lobes (upper, middle, lower) by the oblique and horizontal fissures, whereas the left lung has two lobes.
- Mediastinum
- The central compartment of the thoracic cavity that contains the heart, great vessels, trachea, esophagus, and thymus; divided into superior, anterior, middle, and posterior parts.
- Diaphragm
- The primary muscle of inspiration, innervated by the phrenic nerve (C3–C5); its contraction increases thoracic volume and reduces intrathoracic pressure.
- Carina
- The ridge at the bifurcation of the trachea into the right and left main bronchi, located at the level of the T4–T5 vertebrae.
- Nyquist limit
- The maximum velocity that pulsed-wave Doppler can detect without aliasing; equal to half the pulse repetition frequency (PRF/2).
- Doppler equation
- Δf = (2 × f₀ × v × cosθ) / c, where Δf is the frequency shift, f₀ is transmitted frequency, v is blood velocity, θ is the angle of incidence, and c is the speed of sound in tissue.
- Continuous-wave Doppler
- A Doppler mode that continuously transmits and receives ultrasound, measuring high velocities without aliasing but without depth specificity.
- Harmonic imaging
- An ultrasound technique that uses the second harmonic frequency (twice the transmitted frequency) to improve image resolution and endocardial border detection.
- Tissue Doppler imaging
- A Doppler technique that measures low-velocity, high-amplitude myocardial motion, used to assess diastolic function (e.g., e' velocity).
- Apical four-chamber view
- A standard echocardiographic view obtained with the transducer at the apex, displaying all four chambers; the left ventricle appears on the right side of the screen.
- Simpson's method
- A method for calculating left ventricular ejection fraction by summing the volumes of multiple disks (usually 20) in end-diastole and end-systole from two orthogonal views.
- E/A ratio
- The ratio of early (E) to late (A) diastolic mitral inflow velocities; a ratio less than 1 may indicate impaired relaxation, while a ratio greater than 2 may indicate restrictive filling.
- B-lines
- Comet-tail artifacts seen on lung ultrasound that arise from the pleural line and indicate interstitial fluid or thickening; multiple B-lines suggest pulmonary edema.
- Tricuspid regurgitant velocity
- The peak velocity of the tricuspid regurgitation jet measured by continuous-wave Doppler; a value greater than 2.8 m/s suggests pulmonary hypertension.
- Heart failure with preserved EF
- A clinical syndrome of heart failure with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 50% or greater, typically accompanied by evidence of diastolic dysfunction.
- Aortic stenosis
- Narrowing of the aortic valve, often due to calcification or a bicuspid valve; severe stenosis is defined by a peak velocity >4 m/s or mean gradient >40 mmHg.
- Cardiac tamponade
- Compression of the heart caused by accumulation of pericardial fluid; echocardiographic signs include right ventricular diastolic collapse and right atrial systolic collapse.
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- A genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy (septum ≥15 mm) and dynamic outflow tract obstruction; systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve may occur.
- McConnell's sign
- Echocardiographic finding in pulmonary embolism showing right ventricular free wall hypokinesis with preserved apical contraction.
- Vegetation
- A mobile, echogenic mass attached to a heart valve, typical of infective endocarditis; it may cause valve destruction or embolization.
- ALARA principle
- As Low As Reasonably Achievable: the principle of minimizing patient exposure to ultrasound energy by using the lowest output and shortest duration necessary.
- Thermal index
- An ultrasound safety parameter that estimates the potential for tissue temperature rise; a TI greater than 1.0 warrants caution, especially in sensitive tissues.
- Mechanical index
- An ultrasound safety parameter that estimates the potential for cavitation; higher MI values indicate greater risk, particularly with contrast agents.
- HIPAA
- The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which protects patient privacy and the confidentiality of health information.
- Informed consent
- The process by which a patient voluntarily agrees to a procedure after understanding its risks, benefits, and alternatives; required for invasive or transesophageal procedures.
- Standard precautions
- Infection control practices (hand hygiene, gloves, gown, mask, eye protection) applied to all patients to prevent transmission of pathogens.
- Scope of practice
- The defined boundaries of professional responsibilities; sonographers perform examinations but do not provide final interpretations or diagnoses.