Cardiology — Flashcards

Flashcard 131: In patients with mechanical heart valves, the target INR for patients on warfarin therapy is _____.

Answer: 2.0–3.0 (Aortic) or 2.5–3.5 (Mitral/High-risk)

Extra: Target INR for mechanical heart valves (AHA/ACC guidelines): - **Mechanical Aortic Valve** (no risk factors): 2.5 (Range 2.0–3.0) - **Mechanical Mitral Valve**: 3.0 (Range 2.5–3.5) - **Mechanical Aortic Valve + Risk factors** (e.g., AFib, previous thromboembolism, LV dysfunction, hypercoagulable state): 3.0 (Range 2.5–3.5)

Flashcard 132: In adults, the most common electrical mechanism for cardiac arrest is _____

Answer: Ventricular Fibrillation (VF)

Extra: Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is the most common initial electrical mechanism of sudden cardiac arrest in adults, especially in those with underlying ischemic heart disease. Note: While asystole or Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA) are frequently the rhythms encountered by first responders (as VF degrades into asystole over time), VF is the primary triggering mechanism.

Flashcard 133: Cannon "a" waves on JVP are seen in _____

Answer: AV dissociation

Flashcard 134: Which supraventricular tachycardia presents with a narrow QRS complex followed by a retrograde P-wave (short RP interval)?

Answer: Orthodromic AVRT

Flashcard 135: _____ is the most common underlying etiology of left-sided diastolic heart failure.

Answer: Hypertension

Flashcard 136: The most common mechanism behind sudden cardiac death is an _____

Answer: arrhythmia (specifically ventricular fibrillation)

Flashcard 137: How is the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) calculated?

Answer: Higher of the ankle systolic pressures (PT or DP) / Higher of the brachial systolic pressures (left or right)

Extra: ABI Interpretation: - Normal: 1.0 – 1.4 - Borderline: 0.91 – 0.99 - Diagnostic of PAD: ≤ 0.90 - Calcified/Non-compressible vessels (e.g., Diabetes): > 1.40

Flashcard 138: What is the best treatment of a patient of supraventricular tachycardia in case of hemodynamic instability? _____

Answer: DC cardioversion

Flashcard 139: The single most important long-term limitation of cardiac transplantation is _____.

Answer: allograft arteriopathy

Flashcard 140: What is the rx of choice in a patient of atrial fibrillation with deteriorated hemodynamic status?_____

Answer: DC cardioversion