Valvular Heart Disease
Definition of severe aortic stenosis (1/3)
Small valve area (≤1.0 cm2)
High peak velocity (>4 m/s)
High mean gradient (>40 mm Hg)
(1.0)x4=40
Diagnosis associated with Echo showing apical dyskinesis or ballooning with preservation of basal wall motion
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy AKA stress-induced cardiomyopathy AKA apical ballooning syndrome
Length of time needed prior to placing implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in HFrEF patients after an MI
40 days
Versus 3 months in all other causes
Need Refractory heart failure symptoms despite GDMT with EF <35%
Reduces mortality in patients
First-line medical therapy for stable angina (3)
Anti-platelet (ASA/Clopidogrel), beta-blocker and statin
MKSAP 12
Consider ASA desensitization or clopidogrel in patients with ASA intolerance
HR goal 55-60
Diabetic medication associated with reducing CV risk in patients with heart failure
Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors
MKSAP 10, 79, 93 and 117
Reduces CV events/death, including heart failure–related mortality and hospitalizations
Dapagliflozin and empagliflozin are also effective in patients without diabetes
SGLT2s and GLP1 agonists are both recommended for diabetics with ASCVD or established kidney disease due to their cardiovascular benefits
Indications for AV replacement 2/2 severe aortic stenosis (2/3)
Presence of symptoms (exertional dyspnea, syncope, angina)
LVEF <50% in an asymptomatic patient
Concomitant cardiac surgical procedure for other indications
MKSAP 8
Rx of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy
Goal directed medical therapy
MKSAP 61
All patients need to have CAD excluded with cardiac cath
Has favorable prognosis and most patients recover cardiac function over several months
Indication for cardiac resynchronization therapy in heart failure patients (2/4 parts to this answer)
Refractory heart failure symptoms despite GDMT with EF <35%, QRS >150 ms and LBBB in NSR
CRT is associated with improved LVEF, reduced symptoms, and improved survival rates.
Of note, any patients who meet the indication for CRT also meet indications for ICD therapy - CRT-D
MKSAP 77
Management of persistent angina despite maximally tolerated medical therapy
Coronary angiography to assess if patient is candidate for PCI or CABG
MKSAP 41 and 112
Helps improve symptom status and quality of life
Rx of Symptomatic PVCs
β-blocker or calcium channel blocker therapy v. reassurance if asymptomatic
MKSAP 17 and 55
Rx if symptomatic (palpitations, HF or exertional sx) or frequent (>10% of all beats or 10,000 PVCs per day) - goal is to prevent CM
Catheter ablation should be considered in patients with continued frequent PVCs despite medical therapy, patients who cannot tolerate medical therapy, and patients who develop PVC-induced cardiomyopathy.
PVC burden can be influenced by stress, alcohol or caffeine intake, sleep disturbances, thyroid disorders or anemia.
Name the valvular issue expected in a 30-year-old man with a systolic murmur best heard at the right upper sternal border with paradoxical splitting of S2
Bicuspid aortic valve
Diagnosis associated with Echo showing bi-atrial enlargement and severe diastolic dysfunction in the setting of normal ventricular size, wall thickness, and systolic function
Restrictive cardiomyopathy
Indications for use of ivabradine in heart failure patients (2 parts to this answer)
LVEF <35%
NSR with HR >70/min
On maximally tolerated doses of a β-blocker
Reduces heart failure–associated hospitalizations and the combined end point of mortality and heart failure hospitalization
Name 1 condition causing MINOCA
SCAD
Coronary vasospasm or embolism
Takutsubo's CM
Test used to diagnose cardiac amyloidosis
Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium contrast
MKSAP 7 and 85
Low voltage ECG with Echo showing increased wall thickness suggests an infiltrative cardiomyopathy
After cMRI need to then distinguish between AL (monoclonal light-chains) amyloidosis and ATTR amyloidosis (abnormal 99m-technetium pyrophosphate scan). Cardiac amyloidosis is unlikely in the absence of a monoclonal plasma cell dyscrasia and negative 99m-technetium pyrophosphate scintigraphy findings.
INR goal for mechanical aortic valve vs. mechanical mitral valve
2.5 v. 3.0
Lifelong AC is needed for mechanical valves
Therapy should target a specific INR value rather than a range.
Because of the risk for valve thrombosis, direct-acting oral anticoagulants should not be used for anticoagulation in patients with a mechanical valve.
Indications for ICD implantation in a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (1/6)
Episode of cardiac arrest or sustained VT (primary prevention)
One or more risk factors for sudden cardiac death (secondary prevention):
- SCD in first degree relative <50 yo
- LV hypertrophy > 30 mm
- Episode of syncope suspected to be arrhythmic in nature
- LV apical aneurysm
- LV ejection fraction less than 50%
MKSAP 103
Foundational medical therapy for obese female with HFpEF based on 2026 guidelines (4 answers)
SGLT2
nsMRA
GLP/G1P
ARNI
Diagnosis for patient with worsening heart failure and holosystolic murmur over LSB after recent STEMI
Acquired ventricular septal defect from septal wall rupture
Complicates inferior or anterior STEMI usually 5 days later
Rx: afterload reduction with medical therapy and IABP support but should consider surgical closure
Postinfarct VSDs have high mortality rates (50%)
Rx of atrial myxomas
Urgent surgical excision - to prevent embolic phenomenon
MKSAP 80
Echo will show a large left atrial mass with attachment by a stalk to the interatrial septum vs. a cardiac angiosarcoma which typically arises in the RIGHT atrium and is a/w pericardial effusion (MKSAP 14)
Oral antibiotic recommended for endocarditis prophylaxis prior to oral surgery
Amoxicillin
Will also accept cephalexin, azithromycin or doxycycline (PCN Allergies)
Indications: H/o IE, prosthetic valve, LVAD, unrepaired CHD, cardiac transplantation with valve regurgitation or a defect that has been repaired with prosthetic material within the previous 6 months
Abx ppx is NOT needed for TTE, EGD, colonoscopy, cystoscopy, routine dental cleaning (needs to be gingival manipulation or other procedures that break the oral mucosa)
How to differentiate constrictive pericarditis from restrictive cardiomyopathy (1/3)
Pericardial calcification on CXR or CT
Pericardial thickening on CT or CMR imaging
BNP <100 (v >400 in RCM)
H/o previous cardiac surgery, pericarditis, or chest irradiation
Differentiating between the two disorders is essential because surgical pericardiectomy may relieve symptoms and prolong life in patients with constriction.
Name 5 reasons someone should be referred to a HF specialist (I NEED HELP mnemonic)
Inotropes
NYHA classes III and IV
End-organ renal or liver dysfunction 2/2 HF
EF <20%
Defibrillator shocks
>1 HF hospitalization in the last year
Escalating diuretic dose
Low BP
Progressive intolerance of GDMT
DAILY DOUBLE
Initial medical management of ACS (5/7 meds)
Name all 4 anti-anginal medications used in CAD
BB
CCB
Nitrates
Ranolazine