Technology & Digital Tools Flashcards

What is the purpose of 'persistence' (frame averaging) in echocardiographic image processing?

Answer: Reduces noise by averaging consecutive frames, smoothing the image

Persistence averages multiple sequential frames to reduce random speckle noise, but excessive persistence blurs rapidly moving structures.

During 3D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), a sonographer uses 'en face' cropping to display the mitral valve. From which anatomical perspective is the standard surgical view displayed?

Answer: From the left atrium looking toward the ventricle

The standard surgical 'en face' mitral valve view is presented from the left atrial perspective, mimicking what a surgeon sees when operating on the valve.

Which parameter in a pulse wave Doppler setup must be increased to avoid aliasing when measuring high-velocity intracardiac flows?

Answer: Pulse repetition frequency (PRF)

Increasing PRF raises the Nyquist limit, allowing measurement of higher velocities before aliasing wraps the waveform.

In left ventricular quantification software, which algorithm is used to trace the endocardial border automatically in modern echo platforms?

Answer: Feature-tracking or AI-based automated border detection

Modern platforms use feature-tracking or deep-learning AI algorithms to automatically detect the endocardial border and compute volumes across the cardiac cycle.

A CET notices that Doppler spectral waveforms on the screen appear 'filled in' rather than hollow. Which setting most likely needs adjustment?

Answer: Wall filter is set too low, passing low-velocity clutter into the spectrum

A wall filter that is too low allows low-velocity wall motion and clutter to appear within the spectral display, filling in the normally dark center of the waveform.

Which digital tool allows a cardiologist to remotely review and annotate an echocardiogram without being physically present in the echo lab?

Answer: Tele-echocardiography platform with secure PACS web viewer

Tele-echocardiography uses secure web-enabled PACS viewers that comply with HIPAA to allow remote reading, annotation, and reporting of echo studies.

What does 'lossless compression' mean in the context of storing echocardiography DICOM files?

Answer: Image data is compressed and can be perfectly reconstructed with no quality loss

Lossless compression (e.g., JPEG-LS lossless in DICOM) reduces file size while preserving every original pixel value, meeting diagnostic quality standards.