Cardiology for the Boards
In atrial fibrillation, this left atrial appendage Doppler velocity threshold is associated with significantly increased thromboembolic risk.
What is <20 cm/s?
This festival of lights often occurs in late autumn or early winter.
What is Diwali?
This trial demonstrated that early routine PCI of an occluded infarct-related artery days after MI did not improve outcomes.
What is the OAT trial?
Coined in the late 19th century, this real punctuation mark combines a question mark and an exclamation point and was intended to convey disbelief or sarcasm in written language.
What is the interrobang?
Octopuses have this many hearts.
What is three?
By the newest guidelines, this pulmonary artery pressure cutoff defines pulmonary hypertension at right heart catheterization.
What is mean PA pressure >20 mmHg?
This cultural holiday, observed from December 26 to January 1, celebrates unity, self-determination, and heritage.
What is Kwanzaa?
This post-MI trial showed mortality benefit with eplerenone in patients with LV dysfunction and heart failure or diabetes.
What is the EPHESUS trial?
Often cited as the longest word in the English language to appear in major dictionaries, this 45-letter term was originally coined in the 1930s and refers to a lung disease caused by inhaling very fine silica dust such as you might find in Hawaii, though it’s rarely used in actual medical practice.
What is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis?
Bananas are naturally radioactive because they contain this element, of which Rubidium-82, the PET tracer is an analogue
What is potassium?
After TAVR, this (non heart block) new conduction abnormality most strongly predicts the need for permanent pacemaker placement.
What is new-onset left bundle branch block?
During Lunar New Year celebrations, this color is traditionally worn and displayed to ward off evil spirits and attract good fortune.
What is red?
This trial demonstrated reduced cardiovascular death and HF hospitalization with sacubitril/valsartan compared to enalapril.
What is the PARADIGM-HF trial?
Due to quirks of orbital mechanics and Earth’s rotation, this planet experiences days that are longer than its years.
What is Venus?
This herbal supplement is sometimes marketed for blood pressure control but can dangerously interact with prescription medications.
What is St. John’s wort?
This parameter defines cardiogenic shock in the SCAI classification.
What is cardiac index <2.2 L/min/m² with hypoperfusion?
In this European country, children receive gifts from Saint Nicholas on December 6 rather than on Christmas Day.
What is the Netherlands?
This trial showed no mortality benefit of PCI over optimal medical therapy in stable CAD.
What is COURAGE?
This well-studied psychological effect describes how people with limited knowledge or skill in a subject often overestimate their own competence, while true experts are more likely to underestimate how much they know.
What is the Dunning–Kruger effect?
Despite widespread use, randomized trials have failed to consistently show benefit of this supplement for preventing statin-associated muscle pain.
What is Coenzyme Q10? (CoQ10)
In Brugada syndrome, this ECG lead position increases diagnostic sensitivity. You could also do this to more easily detect epsilon waves.
What is placing V1–V2 in the 2nd intercostal space?
or
What are Fontaine leads?
This 19th-century poem, originally published anonymously in 1823, is largely responsible for shaping the modern image of Santa Claus as a jolly, gift-bringing figure.
What is “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (also known as “’Twas the Night Before Christmas”)?
This trial showed benefit of SGLT2 inhibition in HF regardless of diabetes status.
What is DAPA-HF?
Often mistaken for a made-up word, this real term describes the pleasant, earthy smell that occurs after rain falls on dry soil.
What is petrichor?
This disproven concept claims water retains “memory” of substances once dissolved in it. It's tenants maintain that the more you dilute something, the more powerful it gets
What is homeopathy? (or homeopathic medicine)