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Flashcards in Echocardiography Deck (4)
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1
Q

How do we determine pressure change across a valve?

A

change in pressure = 4 x velocity^squared

it’s important to remember that RVSP is 4v^2 + R atrial pressure

2
Q

how do we work out the aortic valve area?

A

we use easier to measure parameters

AVA = CSA (LVOT) * V(LVOT)/ V(aortic valve)

(based on the concept that:

flow velocity (LVOT) x cross sectional area (LVOT) = flow velocity (aortic) x cross sectional area (aortic))

3
Q

how would you determine the aortic valve pressure?

what about across a VSD?

A

4 * aortic flow velo ^2

VSD = 4 * VSD velo ^2

4
Q

what is the meaning of the E wave and the A wave in echo?

what happens throughout life to the comparison between these readings?

A

the E wave is the “early” wave of diastolic filling

the A is the atrial contraction wave

early in life, the E wave is predominant.

in middle age, they are reasonably similar

later in life, with stiffer myocardium (etc) the E wave becomes less contributory while the A wave becomes more important