MRCP UK EXAMINATIONS

Detailed explanation-1: -Thrombus. (T/F) The cardiac sonographer should not calculate the prosthesis valve area and pressure gradient because that information is available on the patient’s prosthetic valve identification card. False.

Detailed explanation-2: -Prosthetic valve gradient is said to be raised when there is increased mean gradient of more than 15–20 mmHg in aortic prosthesis and more than 5–7 mmHg in mitral prosthesis.

Detailed explanation-3: -Pressure gradient is calculated with the use of the simplified Bernoulli equation: AP = 4 × VPr2, where VPr is the velocity of the peak transprosthetic flow jet in meters per second.

Detailed explanation-4: -Echocardiography is the key noninvasive modality for evaluation of prosthetic valve structure and function [1]. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the mainstay for monitoring prosthetic valves and can generally identify normal function as well as evidence of valve dysfunction (stenosis).

Detailed explanation-5: -The most severe complications associated with prosthetic heart valves include thrombosis, anticoagulant-related hemorrhage, infection, valvular failure, tissue hyperplasia, and overgrowth.