Adult Echocardiography Practice Exam

In which condition is cardiac output not reduced?

1. A. tricuspid stenosis

2. B. coarctation

3. C. mitral stenosis

4. D. constrictive pericarditis

The correct answer is: B. coarctation

Cardiac output refers to the volume of blood the heart pumps per minute, and various heart conditions can impact this output in different ways. In coarctation of the aorta, the main issue is a narrowing of the aorta, which leads to increased afterload for the left ventricle. As long as the degree of coarctation is not severe, the left ventricle can often maintain a normal cardiac output despite the pressure overload. The body adapts to the coarctation, and the left ventricle can become hypertrophied to compensate. This compensatory mechanism allows cardiac output to remain within the normal range even in the face of a structural abnormality. In contrast, tricuspid stenosis, mitral stenosis, and constrictive pericarditis typically lead to reductions in cardiac output due to the obstruction of blood flow or impaired filling of the heart chambers, which affects the heart’s ability to pump effectively. These conditions often result in further complications such as heart failure or reduced exercise tolerance, highlighting the differences in how various heart conditions influence cardiac performance. Understanding the physiological response to different cardiac conditions is crucial in evaluating their impact on hemodynamics and managing patients effectively.