ARDMS AE-Adult-Echocardiography Exam - Topic 5 Question 4 Discussion

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

Question #: 4
Topic #: 5

[All AE-Adult-Echocardiography Questions]

Which condition is most likely demonstrated by this M-mode image?

ADilated cardiomyopathy

BHypertrophic cardiomyopathy

CMitral valve prolapse

DMitral stenosis

Show Suggested Answer

Suggested Answer: D

The M-mode image shows characteristic diastolic doming or ''hockey stick'' appearance of the anterior mitral leaflet with restricted leaflet motion. This is a classic sign of mitral stenosis, where leaflet thickening and fusion cause limited opening during diastole.

Dilated cardiomyopathy shows increased chamber sizes and decreased systolic function but not mitral leaflet doming. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is characterized by septal thickening and SAM of the mitral valve. Mitral valve prolapse shows leaflet billowing into the left atrium during systole.

This pattern is well described in ASE valvular heart disease guidelines and echocardiography texts12:ASE Valve Imaging Guidelinesp.180-18516:Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography, 6ep.200-205.

by Pearline at Nov 25, 2025, 01:23 PM

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Melvin

1 month ago

I feel unsure. All options have some merit.

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Aretha

1 month ago

D) Mitral stenosis is possible, but I doubt it. The image doesn't show narrowing.

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Alfreda

2 months ago

C) Mitral valve prolapse could fit too. The motion looks off.

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Tawna

2 months ago

I lean towards B) Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The wall thickness seems significant.

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Cortney

2 months ago

I think it's A) Dilated cardiomyopathy. The chambers look enlarged.

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Luisa

2 months ago

Mitral stenosis is a possibility too, but I lean towards A.

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Destiny

2 months ago

Wait, is that really what it shows? Seems off.

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Shenika

2 months ago

Wait, is this a cardiology exam or a bodybuilding competition? Those muscles are insane!

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Sophia

3 months ago

Is this a trick question? I bet the answer is B - hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Gotta love those juicy ventricles!

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Ciara

3 months ago

Mitral stenosis, no doubt about it. That's one thick, calcified mitral valve.

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Twila

3 months ago

Mitral valve prolapse, definitely. Just look at that posterior leaflet displacement.

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Yan

4 months ago

Hmm, I'm not sure, but the thickened ventricular walls make me think it might be dilated cardiomyopathy.

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Deandrea

4 months ago

This M-mode image looks like it could be hypertrophic cardiomyopathy to me.

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Cristal

4 months ago

I feel like mitral stenosis could be a contender here, especially if the left atrium is enlarged. I just wish I had more context!

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Tonette

4 months ago

Mitral valve prolapse seems like a possibility, but I need to see more details on the leaflets. This image is a bit tricky.

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Paz

4 months ago

I remember practicing a similar question about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The wall thickness is key, but I can't tell from this image.

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Lemuel

4 months ago

I think this might be dilated cardiomyopathy, but I'm not entirely sure. The chamber size looks quite enlarged.

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Dean

5 months ago

I feel confident I can identify the condition based on the M-mode image. I'll carefully examine the wall motion and dimensions to determine the most likely answer.

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