ARDMS AE-Adult-Echocardiography Exam - Topic 5 Question 2 Discussion

Actual exam question for ARDMS's AE-Adult-Echocardiography exam

Question #: 2
Topic #: 5

[All AE-Adult-Echocardiography Questions]

A patient with a ventricular septal defect, an atrial septal defect, and a cleft mitral valve is likely to have which abnormality?

AAtrioventricular canal defect

BEbstein anomaly

CMarfan syndrome

DShone syndrome

Show Suggested Answer

Suggested Answer: A

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Atrioventricular canal defect (AV canal defect) is a congenital cardiac malformation characterized by defects in the atrial and ventricular septa, along with abnormalities of the atrioventricular valves including cleft mitral valve. These features collectively cause shunting and valve regurgitation.

Ebstein anomaly primarily involves the tricuspid valve and right atrium, Marfan syndrome is a connective tissue disorder with different manifestations, and Shone syndrome involves left-sided obstructive lesions.

This is clearly outlined in the 'Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography, 6e', Chapter on Congenital Heart Defects - Atrioventricular Septal Defects20:120-125Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography.

by Martina at Nov 24, 2025, 12:50 AM

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Tomoko

1 day ago

I feel confident about A) too. The combination of defects points to it.

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Jules

6 days ago

But Ebstein usually involves the tricuspid valve, not mitral. A) is more likely.

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Patrick

11 days ago

I’m not so sure. What about B) Ebstein anomaly? It’s related to valve issues.

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Eun

17 days ago

I think it's A) Atrioventricular canal defect. It fits the description.

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Alease

22 days ago

Really? I thought Ebstein anomaly was more common with those defects.

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Heike

27 days ago

No way, it's gotta be Shone syndrome!

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Brigette

2 months ago

Wait, isn't Marfan syndrome a possibility too?

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Stephaine

2 months ago

D) Shone syndrome, for sure. Though I'm still trying to figure out how a cleft mitral valve and an ASD can coexist. Cardiac anatomy is wild, man.

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Clarence

2 months ago

D) Shone syndrome, easy peasy. I hope the rest of the exam is this straightforward!

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Gaston

2 months ago

D) Shone syndrome, no doubt. This is like cardiac anomalies 101.

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Sylvia

2 months ago

I'm going with D) Shone syndrome. It's the only option that matches the given combination of defects.

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Mike

2 months ago

Definitely D) Shone syndrome. This question is a no-brainer for anyone who's studied their cardiac anomalies.

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Sheron

3 months ago

I have a hunch that the answer is A, atrioventricular canal defect, since it involves both atrial and ventricular septal defects together.

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Bettye

3 months ago

Shone syndrome sounds familiar, but I can't quite connect it to the defects listed. I feel like it might be more about left heart obstruction.

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Cherry

3 months ago

I think I came across a practice question that mentioned Ebstein anomaly in relation to valve issues, but I don't recall the specifics.

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Glory

3 months ago

Alright, I think I've got it. The combination of those three defects points to an atrioventricular canal defect. I'm feeling good about that answer.

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Leigha

3 months ago

I'm going to start by eliminating the options that don't seem to fit. Marfan syndrome doesn't typically involve septal defects, so that's out. Now I just need to decide between the remaining choices.

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Lindsey

3 months ago

Wait, I'm a bit confused. Isn't Ebstein anomaly also related to septal defects? I'll have to review the details of each condition to make sure I have the right one.

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Gerald

4 months ago

I agree, that makes the most sense!

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Ruthann

4 months ago

D) Shone syndrome is the correct answer, as the combination of a ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, and cleft mitral valve is characteristic of Shone syndrome.

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Lilli

4 months ago

I remember studying that patients with multiple septal defects often have some form of atrioventricular canal defect, but I'm not entirely sure if that's the only possibility here.

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Peggie

4 months ago

Definitely A) Atrioventricular canal defect.

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Brinda

4 months ago

I agree, A) makes sense. Multiple defects often indicate a canal defect.

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Artie

5 months ago

Okay, let me see. Ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, and cleft mitral valve - that sounds like Shone syndrome to me. I'm pretty confident in that answer.

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Antione

5 months ago

Hmm, this seems like a tricky one. I'll need to think through the different congenital heart defects and how they're associated.

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