Cardiovascular System

Question 1

What are the 2 types of cholesterols ?

Answer 1

HDL : considered good. Carry the cholesterol to the liver for excretion.
LDL : considered bad. Could cause buildup in the arterial wall, arteriosclerosis.

Question 2

What does the obstruction of the left anterior descending artery cause ?

Answer 2

Anterior wall MI
Septal MI

Question 3

What does the obstruction of circumflex artery cause ?

Answer 3

Posterior wall MI
Lateral wall MI.

Question 4

What does the obstruction of the right coronary artery cause ?

Answer 4

Inferior wall MI

Question 5

Atherosclerosis ?

Answer 5

= arteriosclerosis
Blood clot or fat clot in arteries

Question 6

Symptoms of MI infraction ?

Answer 6

Chest pain (burning, squeezing, heavy feeling)
Dyspnea
Pain in left arm or neck
Sweating
Nausea or vomiting
Palpitation
Anxiety, fatigue

Question 7

Enlargement of which cardiac chamber is most likely to produce dysphagia ?

Answer 7

Left atrium : it is the most posterior (just anteriorly to the esophagus). It could compress the esophagus and cause dysphagia.

Question 8

Which heart chamber is the most anterior ?

Answer 8

The right ventricle : thus most at risk of anterior penetrating injuries.

Question 9

What the the left border of the heart in x-ray ?

Answer 9

Left ventricle and left atrial appendage (small ear shaped pouch of the left atrium).

Question 10

What is superior vena cava syndrome ?

Answer 10

Group of symptoms that occur when there is pressure on the superior vena cava OR when it is partially blocked and blood cannot flow back.

Question 11

What are the symptoms of SVC syndrome ?

Answer 11

Dyspnea, coughing, swelling (face, neck, upper body), change in vision, distended neck veins.

Question 12

What is the right heart border in x-ray ?

Answer 12

Right atrium (the SVC also contributes a bit)

Question 13

The enlargement of which structure would cause dysphonia in mitral regurgitation ?

Answer 13

Left atrium can chronically dilate due to mitral regurgitation and compression the left recurrent laryngeal nerve (which is adjacent to it)

Question 14

Where is the AV node located ?

Answer 14

Interatrial septum, adjacent to coronary sinus and tricuspid valve.

Question 15

What is atrial flutter ?

Answer 15

Type of supraventricular tachycardia involving fast, rhythmic atrial contraction.
Caused typically by : pathological re-entry circuit within cavotricuspid isthmus.

Question 16

Where is the opening of the coronary sinus located ?

Answer 16

Between the opening of the IVC and tricuspid valve.
Inferior aspect of right atrium.

Question 17

Where is the SA node located ?

Answer 17

Wall of the right atrium, adjacent to the opening of the superior vena cava.

Question 18

Where is the bundle of His located ?

Answer 18

In the membranous interventricular septum.

Question 19

What is the posteromedial papillary muscle supplied by ?

Answer 19

The posterior descending artery.

Question 20

What blood vessel supplied the SA node ?

Answer 20

Right coronary artery.

Question 21

At which vertebral level is the aortic hiatus ?

Answer 21

T12 : Opening in the diaphragm allowing the passage of the aorta

Question 22

What becomes the ductus arteriosus after birth ?

Answer 22

It closes and becomes the ligamentum arteriosum.

Question 23

At which vertebral level does the superior mesenteric artery branch of the?

Answer 23

L1

Question 24

At which vertebral level does the inferior mesenteric artery branch of?

Answer 24

L3

Question 25

At which vertebral level does the renal arteries branch of?

Answer 25

L1-2. Typically just under the superior mesenteric artery.

Question 26

At which vertebral level does the abdominal aorta bifurcate ?

Answer 26

L4 : into left/right common iliac arteries

Question 27

At which vertebral level is the celiac trunk found ?

Answer 27

T12 : just after the diaphragm

Question 28

What is the subclavian steal syndrome ?

Answer 28

Blood is send to the arm instead of the brain due to a narrowing of the subclavian artery. Generally caused by plaque build up.

Question 29

What are typical findings of the subclavian steal syndrome ?

Answer 29

Ipsilateral upper extremity claudication, asymmetrical upper extremity BP, syncope, dizziness, visual changes,..

Question 30

Which vessels (2) are commonly used for coronary artery bypass procedures ?

Answer 30

Internal thoracic artery and great saphenous vein.

Question 31

Which vessels is the main determinant of total peripheral resistance ?

Answer 31

Arterioles : their vasoconstriction directly increase TPR and diastolic BP.

Question 32

What is the law of Laplace ?

Answer 32

Describe how the wall tension of a vessel is proportional to pressure x radius.

Question 33

In which phase does coronary perfusion occurs most ?

Answer 33

Diastole : the myocardium relaxes and the vessels of the heart are open and able to transport oxygenated blood throughout the heart.

Question 34

Which layer of the heart is most at risk of ischemia ?

Answer 34

Subendocardial layer (between endocardium and myocardium) : because that is where the highest pressure occurs during systole. The blood vessels there need to overcome a higher pressure to perfuse it.

Question 35

What is the normal cardiac output in healthy individuals ?

Answer 35

5L/min.

Question 36

What is pulse pressure ?

Answer 36

The difference between systolic and diastolic pressure. it is proportional to the stroke volume.

Question 37

What happens to the pulse pressure during aortic regurgitation ?

Answer 37

In aortic regurgitation there’s high systolic pressure (==> left ventricle receives blood from both the left atrium and the aorta) and low diastolic pressure (blood from the aorta empties back into the heart) This leads to a widened pulse pressure.

Question 38

What does the coronary sinus contain ?

Answer 38

Deoxygenated blood that will enter the right atrium.