It's Topic Tuesday!

Good morning, Aortic Hope community! This month we covered cardiac imaging from all angles. Let's see how much you remember! Try these 10 questions, and check your answers tomorrow morning, same time!

1. How many leaflets does a normal aortic valve have?

A) Two

B) Three

C) Four

D) Five

2. What shape is often used to describe a normal aortic valve when viewed from above?

A) Heart shape

B) Mercedes-Benz logo

C) Square

D) Crescent moon

3. During a left heart catheterization, what is injected to help doctors see the coronary arteries on X-ray?

A) Saline

B) Contrast dye

C) Blood thinner

D) Antibiotics

4. What is the name of the procedure where doctors inflate a tiny balloon to open a blocked coronary artery during a heart cath?

A) Bypass surgery

B) Valve replacement

C) Coronary angioplasty

D) Ablation

5. What type of imaging uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart and does NOT involve radiation?

A) CT scan

B) X-ray

C) Echocardiogram (TTE)

D) PET scan

6. Why does a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) provide clearer images than a regular echocardiogram?

A) It uses stronger sound waves

B) The probe is positioned closer to the heart through the esophagus

C) It uses radiation

D) It takes longer to complete

7. Which cardiac imaging test does NOT use radiation?

A) CT scan

B) Cardiac MRI

C) X-ray

D) Left heart catheterization

8. Approximately how long does a cardiac MRI typically take compared to a CT scan?

A) About the same time

B) MRI is shorter

C) MRI takes longer (30-90 minutes vs. 5-30 minutes for CT)

D) CT takes much longer

9. What is a common concern patients have about IV contrast dye used in CT scans?

A) It causes permanent hair loss

B) It may affect the kidneys

C) It causes weight gain

D) It interferes with pacemakers

10. What can patients do to help protect their kidneys after receiving IV contrast?

A) Avoid all liquids

B) Drink plenty of water

C) Take aspirin

D) Rest in bed for 24 hours

How did you do?

Check back tomorrow for the answers!

-Jack