CCI RCS Adult Echo study plan

Map normal cardiac chamber anatomy, valvular apparatus, and coronary distribution onto a hand-drawn four-chamber reference sketch

Trace the cardiac cycle from atrial contraction through isovolumetric relaxation, naming the valve state at each phase

Classify aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, mitral stenosis, and mitral regurgitation by their primary structural mechanism

Link each of the four valve lesions to its expected chamber enlargement pattern and pressure/volume overload physiology

Differentiate left ventricular systolic dysfunction, diastolic dysfunction, and restrictive physiology by their echo signatures

List the morphologic criteria used to distinguish hypertrophic cardiomyopathy from hypertensive remodeling and from amyloid infiltration

Describe how myocardial infarction complications (thrombus, pseudoaneurysm, papillary muscle rupture, VSD) appear on 2D imaging

Identify the echocardiographic findings of pericardial effusion, tamponade physiology, and constrictive pericarditis

Rank the acquired pathologies from this week by how frequently they appear on registry-style exam items

Characterize aortic root/ascending aortic aneurysm, dissection flap, and atheromatous disease on transthoracic and suprasternal imaging

Select the required views for evaluating each valve: parasternal long/short, apical 4/5/3/2, subcostal, and suprasternal

Acquire and label the standard transthoracic view set on a simulator or volunteer with correct probe orientation and depth settings

State the protocol sequence and measurement set expected in a complete adult transthoracic exam

Demonstrate knobology decisions: frequency, gain, compression, focal zone, and harmonics, matched to patient habitus and structure depth

Identify the imaging artifacts (shadowing, reverberation, side lobe, mirror, range ambiguity) most likely to be mistaken for pathology

Explain how frame rate, line density, sector width, and depth trade off against one another

Apply 2D, M-mode, and color Doppler to the same structure and state what each modality adds

Relate continuous-wave versus pulsed-wave Doppler to range resolution and maximum measurable velocity, and calculate Nyquist limits from given depths

Diagram the Doppler equation and explain how transducer frequency and intercept angle alter measured velocity

Set up and justify continuous-wave and pulsed-wave Doppler tracings for aortic, mitral, and tricuspid flow

Recognize aliasing on a color flow image and apply the correct corrective maneuvers

Compute continuity-equation valve area, dimensionless index, and PISA-derived regurgitant orifice from supplied numeric datasets

Estimate right ventricular systolic pressure and mean/max gradients from spectral Doppler tracings

Apply Simpson's biplane and 2D linear methods to left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction, and state each method's limitations

Integrate hemodynamic and 2D findings into a written impression for three simulated case vignettes

Classify the common adult congenital lesions (ASD, VSD, PDA, bicuspid aortic valve, coarctation, tetralogy of Fallot) by shunt physiology and expected echo findings

Distinguish the congenital lesions from acquired mimics using chamber-size and flow-pattern clues

Review the full anatomy and physiology outline for gaps, targeting whatever scored weakest on prior quizzes

Re-attempt every previously missed Domain 4 and Domain 1 item and explain the corrected reasoning aloud

Complete two timed full-length mock exams under registry conditions and record domain-level subscores

State the infection control, ergonomic, patient privacy, and scope-of-practice standards relevant to an echocardiographer

Drill the lowest-scoring domain from each mock exam until subscores equalize across domains

Build and rehearse a one-page formula and normal-value reference sheet for exam-day recall