| Topic | Details |
| Topic 1 | - Instrumentation, Optimization, and Contrast: This section of the exam measures skills of adult echocardiography technicians related to use and optimization of ultrasound instrumentation and the application of contrast agents. Candidates should recognize imaging artifacts, utilize non-imaging transducers, and adjust ultrasound console settings for optimal imaging and Doppler recordings. Knowledge of harmonic imaging, principles of contrast agents, and the safe and effective use of saline and echo-enhancing contrast agents is essential. Candidates must also be able to optimize images when using contrast agents to ensure diagnostic quality.
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| Topic 2 | - Clinical Care and Safety: This section of the exam measures skills of adult echocardiography technicians in applying clinical care principles and safety protocols. It includes evaluating patient history and external data, preparing patients including fasting state and intravenous line management, proper patient positioning, EKG lead placement, blood pressure measurement, and ergonomic techniques. Candidates are expected to identify critical echocardiographic findings, know contraindications for procedures, and be able to respond and manage medical emergencies that may arise during echocardiographic exams.
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| Topic 3 | - Measurement Techniques, Maneuvers, and Sonographic Views: This section of the exam measures skills of adult echocardiography technicians in performing accurate cardiac measurements, conducting provocative maneuvers, and obtaining optimized sonographic imaging views. It involves applying 2D, 3D, M-mode, and Doppler techniques to measure heart valves, chambers, and vessels, including the aortic valve, mitral valve, left and right ventricles, atria, pulmonary artery, and shunt ratios. Candidates must instruct patients in maneuvers such as Valsalva, cough, sniff, and squat. They should also be proficient in acquiring standard echocardiographic views including apical, parasternal, subcostal, and suprasternal notch views.
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| Topic 4 | - Pathology: This section of the exam measures skills of adult echocardiography technicians and focuses on identifying and evaluating abnormal physiology and perfusion and postoperative conditions. It includes assessment of ventricular aneurysms, aortic and valve abnormalities, arrhythmias, cardiac masses, diastolic dysfunction, endocarditis, ischemic diseases, cardiomyopathies, congenital anomalies, and postoperative valve repair or replacement and intracardiac devices. Candidates must demonstrate ability to recognize abnormal Doppler signals, EKG changes, wall motion abnormalities, and a wide range of cardiac pathologies including pulmonary hypertension and septal defects.
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| Topic 5 | - Anatomy and Physiology: This section of the exam measures skills of adult echocardiography technicians and covers knowledge and abilities related to normal cardiac anatomy and physiology. It includes assessing great vessels like the aorta and pulmonary arteries, recognizing anatomic variants of the heart, and evaluating cardiac chambers, pericardium, valve structures, and vessels of arterial and venous return. Candidates must document normal systolic and diastolic function, normal valve function and measurements, the phases of the cardiac cycle, normal Doppler changes with respiration, and appearance of arterial and venous waveforms. This also involves assessing the normal hemodynamic response to stress testing and maneuvers such as Valsalva, respiratory, handgrip, and postural changes.
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