Chest and cardiac imaging: right ventricular strain on CT: practice question

A Radiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Radiology · Chest and cardiac imaging: right ventricular strain on CT

Sample item

CT pulmonary angiography in a hypotensive patient shows bilateral central filling defects. Which additional finding indicates right ventricular strain?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Right to left ventricular diameter ratio above 1

A right ventricle larger than the left, with a ratio above 1, together with septal bowing, reflects raised pulmonary pressure from massive embolism and predicts a worse outcome. The other findings are unrelated to acute pulmonary embolism.

Option by option

  • A. Pericardial calcification

    Pericardial calcification suggests constrictive pericarditis.

  • B. Left atrial enlargement

    Left atrial enlargement points to left-sided disease such as mitral stenosis.

  • C. Dilated ascending aorta

    A dilated ascending aorta points to aortic disease.

  • D. Right to left ventricular diameter ratio above 1 (correct)

    Correct. An RV to LV ratio above 1 shows right heart strain.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is D, Right to left ventricular diameter ratio above 1. A right ventricle larger than the left, with a ratio above 1, together with septal bowing, reflects raised pulmonary pressure from massive embolism and predicts a worse outcome.

Why is "Pericardial calcification" not the answer?

Pericardial calcification suggests constrictive pericarditis.

Why is "Left atrial enlargement" not the answer?

Left atrial enlargement points to left-sided disease such as mitral stenosis.

Why is "Dilated ascending aorta" not the answer?

A dilated ascending aorta points to aortic disease.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chest and cardiac imaging: right ventricular strain on CT in Radiology. The other findings are unrelated to acute pulmonary embolism.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Chest and cardiac imaging: right ventricular strain on CT?

Learn signs with the image, and the disease they point to. Then use the flashcards and the other Radiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.