Cardiovascular Flashcards
20% of EORE Content
Which of the following conditions is the most common cause of secondary hypertension in adults?
A. Graves disease
B. Pheochromocytoma
C. Primary aldosteronism
D. Renal artery stenosis
Renal Artery Stenosis
In children it is renal parenchymal disease
A 61-year-old woman presents to the office with worsening flu-like symptoms for five weeks. She reports low-grade fever most days, general malaise, and night sweats. On physical exam, you notice painless erythematous macules on the palms and soles, as well as tender nodules on the pads of the fingers. Laboratory results reveal leukocytosis and anemia, blood cultures show gram-positive cocci, and the blood agar shows a green discoloration. What is the most common pathogen responsible for this patient’s symptoms?
Streptococcus viridans (the most common cause of subacute endocarditis)
The presentation described is infective endocarditis, specifically subacute bacterial endocarditis. The symptoms, including low-grade fever, malaise, and night sweats over an extended period, along with the presence of Janeway lesions (painless erythematous macules on the palms and soles) and Osler nodes (tender nodules on the pads of the fingers), are classic signs of this condition.
The laboratory findings of leukocytosis (elevated white blood cell count) and anemia further support the diagnosis. The blood culture results showing gram-positive cocci and the blood agar revealing green discoloration indicate the presence of alpha-hemolytic bacteria. This green discoloration on blood agar is characteristic of Streptococcus viridans, a group of bacteria commonly found in the oral cavity and a leading cause of subacute bacterial endocarditis.
Which arrhythmia is characterized by a “sawtooth” pattern on the ECG?
Atrial Flutter
What is the first-line treatment for symptomatic bradycardia?
Atropine
Which medication is commonly used for rate control in atrial fibrillation?
Beta-Blockers (motoprolol)
What is the definitive treatment for patients with recurrent ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation?
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)
What is the most appropriate first step in the management of a stable patient with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT)?
Vagal Meneuvers
A 68-year-old male presents to the emergency department with palpitations, shortness of breath, and fatigue that started earlier in the day. His ECG shows an irregularly irregular rhythm with no distinct P waves and a ventricular rate of 120 beats per minute. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Atrial Fibrillation
A 72-year-old woman presents with sudden onset palpitations and lightheadedness. Her ECG shows a narrow complex tachycardia with a regular rhythm at a rate of 180 beats per minute. She is hemodynamically stable. Which of the following is the best initial management?
A) Immediate synchronized cardioversion
B) Intravenous adenosine
C) Intravenous amiodarone
D) Vagal maneuvers
Vagal maneuvers
A 55-year-old male presents with chest pain and shortness of breath. His ECG shows ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF with a heart rate of 40 beats per minute. His blood pressure is 80/60 mmHg. What is the most appropriate immediate treatment?
A) Atropine
B) Beta-blocker
C) Amiodarone
D) Immediate coronary angiography
Atropine
The patient in this vignette is a 55-year-old male presenting with chest pain and shortness of breath. His ECG shows ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF, which indicates an inferior myocardial infarction (MI). Additionally, the patient has a heart rate of 40 beats per minute (bradycardia) and hypotension (blood pressure 80/60 mmHg), which are concerning signs that suggest the patient is in cardiogenic shock due to the MI.
What heart arrhythmia is associated with EKG patterns that bradycardia alternates with tachycardia?
Sick Sinus Syndrome
What is the most common cause of dilated cardiomyopathy in the United States?
A) Alcohol abuse
B) Viral myocarditis
C) Coronary artery disease
D) Genetic mutations
Coronary artery disease (CAD)
Which of the following is a hallmark finding on echocardiography for a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy?
A) Concentric left ventricular hypertrophy
B) Left ventricular dilation with reduced ejection fraction
C) Right ventricular hypertrophy
D) Increased left ventricular wall thickness
Left ventricular dilation with reduced ejection fraction
Which class of medication is typically first-line in the management of symptomatic dilated cardiomyopathy?
ACE Inhibitors
Which electrolyte abnormality is commonly associated with the use of loop diuretics in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypercalcemia
D) Hypermagnesemia
Hypokalemia
A 55-year-old male with a history of hypertension and chronic alcohol abuse presents with progressive dyspnea, orthopnea, and lower extremity swelling over the past three months. Physical examination reveals an S3 gallop, jugular venous distension, and bilateral pitting edema. An echocardiogram shows a dilated left ventricle with an ejection fraction of 25%.
Which of the following is the most appropriate initial management for this patient?
A) Start intravenous diuretics and ACE inhibitors
B) Schedule for immediate coronary angiography
C) Initiate beta-blocker therapy
D) Recommend alcohol cessation only
Start intravenous diuretics and ACE inhibitors
What is Dressler’s Syndrome?
What is the treatment?
What should be avoided to prevent pericardial wall thinning?
Pericarditis following a myocaridal infarction
ASA or Colchacine
NSAIDs and corticosteroids
What are the two most common symptoms associated with a pulmonary embolism?
What is the best initial test when working up a PE?
Dyspnea (m/c) and pleuritic chest pain
Spiral CT
The treatment for a pulmonary embolism is low molecular weight heparin plus warfarin. What are the low molecular weight agents?
- Enoxaparin
- Daltaparin
- Tinzaparin
What are common signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure?
- Exertional dyspnea (SOB), then with rest
- Chronic nonproductive cough, worse in a recumbent position
- Fatigue
- Orthopnea (late), night cough, relieved by sitting up or sleeping with additional pillows
- Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
- Nocturia
What are the pharmacological agents used to treat heart failure?
Hint: LMNOP
- Loop Diuretics (don’t use in diastolic HF)
- Morphine (reduces pre-load)
- Nitrates (reduces pre-load)
- Oxygen
- Position
CCB for diastolic HF
What adventatous breath sound is associated with congestive heart failure?
What will be seen on CXR?
Rales
Kerley B Lines
What is the BEST test for working up congestive heart failure?
Echocardiogram
What is stable angina?
- predictable; presents with a consistent amount of exertion
- the patient can achieve relief with rest or nitroglycerin
- indicative of a stable, flow-limiting plaque