Theme 8: Cardiovascular Pathology

Question 1

Unstable angina, myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death are all types of ____ ____ syndrome

Answer 1

acute coronary

Question 2

What is meant by ‘transmural ischaemia’ when referring to myocardial infarction?

Answer 2

The ischaemia is through the full thickness (>75%) of the cardiac wall

Question 3

What is meant by ‘subendothelial ischaemia’ when referring to myocardial infarction?

Answer 3

The ischaemia is limited to the inner third of the cardiac wall

Question 4

A sustained BP above ____ is considered to be hypertensive.

Answer 4

140/90

Question 5

What effect does angiotensin II have on BP?

Answer 5

Increases it by:

• stimulating vasoconstriction
• promoting Na reabsorption (therefore water retention)
• stimulating the thirst centres in brain

Question 6

In what ways does angiotensin II promote Na and water retention?

Answer 6

Direct stimulation of Na transporters

Stimulates release of aldosterone, which acts on kidneys

Stimulates release of ADH, which acts on kidneys

Question 7

What is malignant hypertension?

Answer 7

Sustained BP above 180/120

This level of BP leads to organ damage and requires urgent treatment:

• Acute hypertensive encephalopathy
• Nephropathy
• Retinal haemorrhage/papilledema

Question 8

What is cor pulmonale?

Answer 8

Right-sided heart dilation, hypertrophy and [eventually] failure due to lung disease

Question 9

What causes cor pulmonale?

Answer 9

Diseases of the lung parenchyma and vasculature and disorders affecting chest movement or inducing compression of the pulmonary arteries

Question 10

What is a type A aortic dissection?

Answer 10

Proximal lesion that involves the ascending aorta

Question 11

What is a type B aortic dissection?

Answer 11

Lesion affects the descending aorta only

Question 12

What is the most common cause of AAA?

Answer 12

Atherosclerosis

Question 13

At what point is a AAA usually repaired?

Answer 13

When it exceeds 5.5cm or is growing rapidly

Question 14

Which type of cardiomyopathy is due to mutations in the sarcomere gene?

Answer 14

Hypertrophic

Question 15

What organism commonly causes infective endocarditis?

Answer 15

Streptococcus viridans

Question 16

Which type of meningitis would present with increased polymorphs in the CSF?

Answer 16

Bacterial

Question 17

Which organism is a gram positive cocci that grows in pairs and is a common cause of meningitis?

Answer 17

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Question 18

Which clinical syndrome results from pressure on the heart due to a buildup of fluid in the pericardial space?

Answer 18

Cardiac tamponade

Question 19

Tabes dorsalis is a neurological manifestation due to infection with which organism?

Answer 19

Treponema pallidum

Neurological degeneration (demyelination and fibrosis of nerves) that occurs in late stages of syphilis

Question 20

__?__ is the inflammation of large-to-medium sized arteries that can lead to permanent blindness if untreated

Answer 20

Giant cell arteritis

Question 21

__?__ is an adrenal tumour that may be associated with secondary hypertension

Answer 21

Phaeochromocytoma

Question 22

Right-sided heart failure due to lung disease is called __?__

Answer 22

Cor pulmonale